Staff writer
Organizers of the 22nd annual Lincolnville Octoberfest set out to plan a smalltown festival that would be especially enjoyed by children, and they appear to have succeeded.
The theme itself was bound to attract children, Circus Day in Lincolnville: Come Clown Around with Us.
Clowns were much in evidence during the 1:30 p.m. parade which included approximately 30 entries.
The city of Lincolnville float received first place and the theme prize. It featured several walking clowns and a colorful cage full of live circus “animals.”
Connie Johnson and Gail Burns, representatives of the Lincolnville and Lost Springs U.S. post offices, received second place with their colorful theme: “Don’t Clown Around with the Rest! Ship with the Best. . .USPS.”
The city of Ramona, represented by Pat Wick, Jessica Gilbert, and Tim Steinborn, took third place.
Traveling in a go-cart pulling a wagon, a group of “Hot Chicks” took first place in the children’s division.
A group of Centre Girl Scout clowns took second place. Pilsen State Bank’s entry of walking clowns including two on walking sticks took third place.
Haley Rudolph, daughter of David Rudolph, and Steven Holub, son of Kenny and Kathy Holub, were named prince and princess of the 2008 Octoberfest. They rode through the parade on the Little Apple Express, which provided rides throughout the day for children and adults.
A group of Legion Riders provided the color guard for the parade. The Centre Jr./Sr. High School Band marched and performed.
Evelyn and Alton Matz were grand marshals. They are longtime residents of the Lincolnville community and have been married almost 58 years. They moved to Lincolnville in 1997. They have four children, 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Evelyn is president of Lincolnville Seniors and serves on the city council.
Walter Otte displayed a huge pumpkin in his pickup, and Richard Dirks drove his award-winning antique car.
At the invitation of Lester Kaiser, fire chief of Marion County Fire District #5, numerous fire departments were represented in the parade, including Lincolnville, Lehigh, Lost Springs, Tampa, Marion, Florence, Hillsboro, and Peabody.
Firefighters sponsored the brats supper at the community building at the end of the day.
The day started out slow but by noon people were coming into town to enjoy the noodle soup and chili dinner provided by the Lincolnville United Methodist Church at the city building. According to Clay Simons, they ran out of food.
Jason Demars of Abilene was master of ceremonies for the day. He announced the parade and other events, sang country songs, and was the DJ for the evening dance.
Other performers were the Alex Stuchlik Polka Band, the Black Kettle Bluegrass Band, and the Centre Junior/Senior High School Band under the direction of Pat Schoenhofer.
In addition to a kiddie carnival and face painting, children participated in a pumpkin-carving contest in the park. Winners in various age groups were awarded cash prizes in best-painted, best- freehand-carved, and best-carved with stencils.
Michael Antoszyk found the medallion. Sherri Pankratz won the barbeque grill and Karl Riffel won the kids’ TV in the drawing at the end of the day.
At least 85 businesses, organizations, and individuals contributed door prizes or cash donations to make the festival possible.
As is often the case in small towns, Octoberfest volunteers were small in number and were extremely busy all day, but they were happy to see the kids having fun.
“It was a little windy, but I think overall people enjoyed themselves,” said Sylvia Bailey, chairman of the Octoberfest committee.