Fest 2013 now history

Staff reports and

special contributions

Deutsches Fest 2013 was another successful event for the most part, although reviews were somewhat mixed. Barbara (Grannie BarBar) Walter told The Record she had the best Friday and Saturday ever, followed by the worst Sunday ever. Biergarten beverage sales were down this year even though gate receipts for each day except Sunday were about the same as for most average years in the past, according to biergarten chairman DeJay Buck. Sunday’s cold weather with its threat of rain led many people to head home early. The weather appears to have a major impact on people’s willingness to make a weekend outing.

Food sales were quite brisk for most local providers, and those The Record contacted seemed content with their sales figures. Most financial results will not be available for at least a week or more, since outstanding bills must still be paid.

Pre-Fest Thursday

Wheatland Bank’s sponsorship of the chalk-drawing contest for youngsters drew approximately 50 children from age 2 to age 12.

Winners were Devin Nelson in the 2-5-year-old division, Sarah Hayashi in the 6-9-year-old division and Tianna Gies in the 10-12-year-old division. Each winner received a $35 gift certificate for Grannie BarBar’s special-occasion cookies and other baked goods.

All of the contest participants received free gifts courtesy of Wheatland Bank.

Following the chalk-drawing contest were the trike races and bed races. More informatioin on those events will follow next week.

Museum

The Odessa Historisches Museum opened Saturday of Fest just before the noon hour and remained quite busy with a steady flow of visitors until after 5 p.m. In other years, people seemed to come and go in waves, but this year it was easier to meet the visitors and respond to their inquiries, reported volunteer museum guide Marge Womach.

A short visit was made by Eddie Kern who was able to supply answers pertaining to the old brick factory that was west of town. The bricks were just too soft for good building material and were discontinued after 1902, according to Kern. He says that only the present Odessa Record building had been constructed with bricks from Odessa’s own brick factory.

Author and historian, Harland Eastwood of Ritzville, also made an appearance at the museum. Specific inquiries were received regarding the surnames of Tipke, Drazan, Nechanicky, Ruff, Suchland, Kuhlman and Frieske over the afternoon. Email addresses for these requests were gathered at the front desk and files were promised to be prepared. These files went out by email before Monday noon.

Several new items were acquired during the Saturday session, and staff will endeavor to have them prepared for placement. The museum staff missed the presence of Dr. John Gahringer, who apparently was unable to attend this year. The Odessa Historisches Museum continues to be grateful to the late Florence Stout Gahringer for her countless hours of accessioning items, labeling, and training new staff in the beneficial methods of recording.

Fun Run

The Fun Run, organized and managed by Odessa Cub Scout Pack #784, awarded trophies to the top three finishers in each of four categories.

First place in the Men’s 5k was Erik Walter with a time of 18:56:4. Travis Schuh was second with 20:27:3 and Jacob DeWulf was third with a time of 21:30.

In the Women’s 5k, Kaci King came in first with a time of 25:25, Kelly Weber was second with 25:53 and Rachel Schell third with 26:12.

Scott Gaines came in first in the Men’s 10k with a time of 44:33. Kevin Weishaar was second with 49:52, and Mike Murray was third at 50:14.

In the Womens’s 10k, Karen Zahm won first prize with a time of 48:05. Second place went to Katherine Ladig at 48:29 and Kim Dreger was third with a time of 57:44.

Horseshoes

The horseshoe pits were busy Saturday, as friendly competition was enjoyed by 28 participants.

Taking first place in the contest was a mother/daughter team from Spokane, Cindy and Kaiti Reeves, sponsored by Odessa Drug. Second place went to Earl Hertein of Creston and his partner Kelsey Rasmussen of Seattle, sponsored by Ott Insurance. The third-place team comprised Mike Watcher of Spokane and Loren Totusek of Marlin and was sponsored by the Odessa Trading Company. Sponsoring the pitchers were 21 (mostly) local businesses.

Odessa Horseshoe Club member Kathy Ratkowski said another tournament, this one state-sanctioned, will be held in Odessa September 28, beginning at 8 a.m. It is possible that some world champions will participate in that tournament, Ratkowski said.

Parade

Ritzville’s float won the Grand Sweepstakes award for their float themed “Wonders of Oz.” In division A, the first place winner was the Deer Park community float which was titled “Foot Loose Boogie.” Chewelah won second place in the A division for “Sunken Treasures.”

In division B, Wilbur’s float won first place with its theme, “Ignite Your Light,” and second place in the same division was Davenport with a theme of “Moonlit Summer.” A total of nine eastern Washington communities sent floats to Odessa to participate in the parade.

Coverage of Deutsches Fest 2013 will continue next week with additional reports to followin ensuing weeks as more concrete figures become available for the various events and venues.