There are two longstanding and popular festivals with nationwide recognition that take place in the city, the first of which being the National Polka Festival. First held in 1967, this three-day festival has been hosted annually during the Memorial Day weekend to commemorate the city's historic Czech Texan history and heritage. The festival features Czech cuisine, polka music, a Memorial Day parade through downtown, and polka dances hosted at event halls operated by fraternal organizations such as Sokol or the Knights of Columbus. There is also a homecoming-like competition among residents and these community-based fraternal organizations to annually crown the "Duke and Dutchess of Ennis". The Ennis Polka Run also takes place to help fund the Rotary Club and the Children's Reading Club of Ennis.