Fest is next week! Are you ready for some sausage?

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday noon to receive updates on preparations for the 45th annual Deutschesfest. Biergarten chair Miranda Taylor reported that work on the tables in the community center has been completed, but that the benches have not yet been completed. The food and beverages have been ordered, she said, as have the portable toilets, wristbands for entry to the Biergarten, pop and water. The security firm has been engaged. Mugs and T-shirts have been ordered from Etched Dreams and will be ready by Fest. Merchandise to be sold in the Biergarten has arrived but needs to be inventoried prior to Fest. New decorative flags were purchased and will be installed on First Avenue next week.

The Sunday morning breakfast spot in the community center is still up for anyone who wishes to take it on as a fundraising opportunity.

The sawdust for the community center floor will be delivered on Tuesday, September 15, and volunteers are needed to help spread and wet down the sawdust.

This weekend is the final push to get everything ready for the 45th Fest. Crews will be hard at work in the community center all weekend and every night after work until Fest. And then they volunteer to serve drinks and food, clean up after closing and any of the other things that need doing to show off Odessa to its best advantage.

Anyone who is able is asked to please come down to the community center on the weekend and volunteer to help with bench repair, painting, cleanup and any of the many other tasks that need to be performed. Any and all help will be much appreciated.