Okawville Wheat Festival This Weekend
The 67th annual Okawville Fair and Wheat Festival will be held at the Okawville Community Club Park on September 18th, 19th and 20th.
The 3-day event will kick off Friday evening, September 18th with the Miss Okawville Fair Queen Pageant and Junior Miss Crowning beginning at 7:00 p.m in the new Junior/Senior High School building. The 2015 Queen will reign over the fair and appear in the parade on Sunday afternoon.
J. Christopher, Most Dangerous One Man Band will be the feature free entertainment Friday evening from 8:00 p.m to midnight. Concession stands will be open at 5 p.m. Arm bands will be used from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Single ride tickets may also be purchased. Some rides will need more than one ticket.
On Saturday a Washer Tournament will be held at 1:00 p.m. At 1:00 p.m a Kiddie Tractor pull will be held. Ardy the Clown will be in the park from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The antique Tractor Pull will begin at 2:00 p.m. A local Talent Show will be held on stage at 2:00 p.m. This is a chance for Washington County residents to “show off” their talents. The Exhibit Hall will also open at 2:00 p.m. Rides will be from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. Single ride tickets will be available this year with some rides taking multiple tickets. Arm Bands for rides will be available from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m.
From 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. The Venedy Band will be in concert. The Okawville American Legion Post #233 will host bingo from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m (BL-3002). The evening free outdoor stage entertainment will be provided by Hillbilly Authority rom 8:00 p.m to midnight.
On Sunday the concession stands will open at 11:00 a.m. The parade will begin at 2:00 p.m weather permitting and will feature large decorated floats, bands and other marching units. The theme of this year’s parade is “Vacation Destination”. Anyone wishing to place an entry in the parade should contact Jenny Clary at 618-599-0297.
Following the parade, the Exhibit Hall will open. Rides with single tickets will be from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m with some rides taking multiple tickets. Arm Bands will be available from 4:00-9:00 p.m. The West Washington County High School Band will be in concert from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Bingo will be available from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m sponsored by the Okawville American Legion Post 233. Free outdoor entertainment by the Backroads Band from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Over $7,000 in premiums will again be offered to this year’s exhibitors. Washington County residents may bring in their farm products, fruit, fancy work, canned goods, baked goods, photography, painted pictures and school exhibits, etc and compete for the premiums offered.
It is suggested that exhibitors enter on Friday if at all possible to avoid the rush on Saturday morning. Exhibits will be accepted from noon to 9:00 p.m on Friday evening and from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m on Saturday morning.
The Wheat Festival will again have the free “Corn Box” for the young children where they may play with dump trucks, pails, shovels, etc in the corn. A hand washing station is provided. The Okawville High School FFA sponsors this project.
A variety of food and refreshment will be available including fish, fried chicken, grilled pork steaks, chicken strips, bratwurst, hamburgers, french fries, slaw, funnel cakes, kettle popcorn, ice cream, pie, cake, soda, water, coffee, beer, etc.
No admission is charged to the grounds and ample parking space is available. The only parking permitted on the grounds is in the handicapped only parking lot next to the Exhibit Hall.
Area businesses, organizations, and individuals who sponsor various activities and entertainment at the fair are:
Addieville Lumber Co., Barkau and Unverfehrt, P.C., Brammeier Chiropractic LLC, Bridgeport Group, Campagna Funeral Home, CBI Foods- Mike Christ, Citizens for Charlie Meier, Citizens for David Luechtefeld, Construction Matters, Country Bobs, Donnewald Distributing Co., Edward Jones- Paul Jansen, Farm Credit Illinois, Farmers and Merchants Bank, First National Bank, Gateway FS, GC Unverfehrt Supply, Haier Plumbing and Heating Inc., Lyle’s Auto Body, Moeller Bros, Nascote Industries, Nashville Animal Clinic PC, NOTS Logistics, Obermeier Truck Service LLC, Okawville Body Works, Okawville Community Club, Okawville Electric, Okawville Family Pharmacy LLC, Okawville Lions Club, Old Exchange National Bank, Original Springs Hotel and Bath House, Prairie State, Reichmann Bros,. LLC, Road Ranger, SC Crop Insurance Co-Eric Brammeier, Schilling Farms, State Farm-Ken Doelling, Streuter Chevrolet Inc., TOP AG Co-operative Inc., The Maschhoffs Inc., The Okawville Times, Village of Okawville, Weeke Sales and Service, and Wennemann’s Meat Market.
