69th Annual Okawville Fair And Wheat Festival Set For September 15, 16, And 17

The 69th annual Okawville Fair and Wheat Festival will be held at the Okawville Community Club Park on September 15th, 16th, and 17th.

The 3-day event will kick off Friday evening, September 15th with the Miss Okawville Fair Queen Pageant and Junior Miss Crowning beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Junior/Senior High School building. The 2017 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 entertainment Friday evening from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Concession stands will open at 5:00 p.m. Arm bands will be sold from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and single ride tickets are available from 6:00 to 11:00 pm.

Scheduled events on Saturday will be a Washer Tournament at 1:00 p.m. A Kiddie Tractor pull at 1:00 p.m. 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 the chance for Washington County residents to “show off” their talents. The Exhibit Hall will also open at 2:00 p.m. Rides using Single Ride Tickets will be from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. From 4:00 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). Arm Bands for rides will be available from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. The evening’s free outdoor stage entertainment will be provided by Backroads /Beaucoup Bottom Band from 6:00 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 “Toys on Parade”. 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 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. with some rides taking multiple tickets. Arm bands will be available from 4:00 to 8:00 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. The Free outdoor entertainment will be provided by Hot Rod Johnny from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Over $6,000 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 3:00 pm 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, shov- els, 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 in-cluding fish, fried chicken, grilled pork steaks, chicken strips, slaw, bratwurst, hamburgers, French fries, funnel cakes, kettle popcorn, pie, ice cream, cake, soda, water, coffee, beer, etc.

No admission is charged to visit 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.

Single Ride Tickets are $1 each or 22 for $20. Some rides will need more than one ticket. Arm bands will cost $20 each.

Area businesses, organizations, and individuals who sponsor various activities and entertainment at the fair are:

Addieville Lumber Co., AGRIMAXX Wheat Company, Barkau and Unverfehrt, P.C., Bayer-Cropsciences – Brad Luechtefeld, Brammeier Chiropractic LLC, Jake Brandmeyer-State Farm, Bridgeport Group, Campagna Funeral Home, CBI Foods – Mike Christ, Citizens for Charlie Meier, Country Bobs, Country Companies – Dennis Hoelscher, Donnewald Distributing Co., Edward Jones – Paul Jansen, Farm Credit Illinois, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Financial Solutions Midwest LLC, First National Bank, Frederking’s Eagles Nest, Gateway FS, GC Unverfehrt Farm Supply, Grupo Antolin- Nashville, Haier Plumbing and Heating Inc., Koch Insurance Agency, DBA Little Nashville, Lyle’s Auto Body, Meyer’s Greenhouse, Moeller Bros., Inc., Nascote Industries, Nashville Animal Clinic PC, NOTS Logistics, Oakley Services, Inc., Obermeier Truck Service LLC, Okawville Body Works, Okawville Com-munity Club, Okawville Equipment, Okawville Family Pharmacy LLC, Okawville Lions Club, Old Exchange National Bank, Original Springs Hotel and Bath House, Prairie State, Riechmann Bros., LLC, Road Ranger, SC Crop Insurance – Eric Brammeier, Scott Banzai Home, Inc., Sparta Equipment, Streuter, Inc., The Maschhoffs Inc., The Okawville Times, TOP AG Co-operative Inc., Village of Okawville, Washington County Title & Abstract, Weeke Sales and Service, Wehmeyer Seed Company, Wennemann’s Meat Market, and WJ Bookkeeping & Tax Service.