Festive evening started with welcoming remarks by the Consul General Pavol Šepeľák, for whom it was officially the first celebration of this public holiday in his office in Los Angeles.

The part of the evening was the performance of two Czech artists – violinist Johana Krejci and singer Yanna Fabián. Guests also had an opportunity to see an exhibition lent by National Czech and Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids called "Leaving Czechoslovakia“ that depicts stories of people who emigrated from the former Czechoslovakia.

The attendance was high, among 200 guests, there were significant members of Czech community and management of Czech local associations (Sokol Los Angeles, Pasadena Beseda, SVU, Czech School in Los Angeles), consuls general from various countries and continents, members of political leadership from democratic as well as from republican party, deputy city management, entrepreneurs, representatives of film industry and many others.

There was also presentation of our partners and sponsors, namely R. Jelínek Distillery, that offered a tasting of their products, Lasvit, leading manufacturer of lighting sculptures from Czech glass, and Pilsner Urquell, world-known brewing company that also offered tasting of their beers.