One of the longest running traditions of Kolacky Days is the Kolacky Eating Contest. It has been apart of the festival since the very beginning so its actually been around longer than the Kolacky Queen and the Kolacky Days Button traditions. It also is an event won more by outsiders than local Montgomerians. Over time the competition has changed but end result has never changed. Originally, the winner was called the Kolacky King.

An article from the Montgomery Messenger summed up the contest quite well. It stated, "There is no beauty, poise, personality involved, however, for the only qualification has been: How many Kolackies can he or she eat in a given period of time, against challenging competition? The qualification has been stated another way: a tremendous appetite, perfect digestive system and an extreme liking for the famous Czech delicacies. Entrants into the contest have been three or four one year and as high as 30 at other times. Winning 'eaters' have consumed over 20 buns!'

The competition has changed through the years. At the beginning, the contestants would be allowed to drink coffee with their Bohemian biscuits. Joe Rynda was the very first winner and took on the role of the Kolacky Eating Event Chairman for many years thereafter. In 1956, the first women particapated in the event. In the late 1970s, a biker that went by Buda from Warsaw took home the crown on multiple occasions that was a crowd favorite and then was followed by a native of then called Czechoslovakia. Zdenek Kuzilek of St. Paul, MN was a politcal refugee from Ostrava, Moravia. In 1985, Bob Rynda broke Montgomery's 30 year old drought and kept the title of Kolacky King for the Kolacky City. The 2000s were marked by either two locals bringing home the title for a majority of the decade. In 2012, a kid's division was added to lineup Now, the winner is the first one to consume a half dozen kolacky and be the first to whistle or yell, "Kolacky Days."

Throughout the years, many special dignitaries have partaken in the event including the Mayor of Minneapolis, State Senators, and State Representatives to name a few.

Contest Rules

Dating back to 1929, the Kolacky Days festivities will once again be host to the Annual Kolacky Eating Contest. The event is on Sunday in the heart of Memorial Park during the Kolacky Days program. The competition will be timed under the following format:

Kolacky King Classic
A Bakers' Dozen & Up Division

This is an individual event where men and women can compete that are 13 & up in age. Each entrant will be timed in eating SIX (6) kolackys from Franke’s Bakery and the first to completely consume all 6 kolackys in the fasted time and yell “Kolacky Days” will be deemed the winner.

Dozen & Unders
A Kid’s Division

This is an individual event limited to boys and girls that are 12 & under in age. Each entrant will be timed on eating THREE (3) kolackys from Franke’s Bakery and the first to completely consume all 3 kolackys in the fastest time and yell “Kolacky Days” will be deemed the winner.

There will be no registration fee. At the conclusion of the contests, the winner of each competition will be declared the Kolacky King of this year’s Kolacky Days and receive a medal.