The climate was good, the streets had been packed and the Oktemberfest parade – the centerpiece of Marshalltown’s annual late-September competition – was going off with out a hitch Saturday morning following the annual 5k run at dawn.
Unable to see how the remainder of the occasion was continuing was Oktemberfest President and parade director Stephanie Anderson, who for the primary time was a participant within the parade in one of many first convertibles, proper behind Little Miss and Mr. Oktemberfest.
For the first-year President, who’s at present seven months pregnant, it was a considerably nerve-wracking expertise to not be in management – notably after having to make some late-night modifications to the parade order following late entries getting accepted.
“We had a variety of issues occur final minute this 12 months, however every thing pulls by means of on the final minute it looks like,” Anderson stated. “We took entries even [Friday]. It at all times works out.
“Having folks assist with this can be a particular should, so our board is nice. It was form of bizarre leaving the place to begin. I seen even down in the direction of the tip of the parade route it was nonetheless packed, and normally it thins out. Huge turnout this 12 months.”
Clocking in at practically two hours lengthy, the parade had about the identical quantity of entries because the 2021 version. Nonetheless, Anderson stated many entries carried a number of automobiles that didn’t in final 12 months’s version.
Entrants ranged from 5 highschool marching bands – Marshalltown, Grinnell, Lynnville-Sully, Nashua-Plainfield and Roland-Story – and plenty of college students and student-athletes representing Marshalltown Neighborhood School to longtime Marshalltown physique store L. Hogeland, who used an entire fleet of automobiles for its entry. Various native companies and political candidates additionally marketed themselves and gave out sweet to the massive variety of ready children within the crowds.
Following the parade, the massive crowds made their technique to the carnival space and the various meals vehicles lining Most important Avenue. Scott Industries offered its normal carnival fare, whereas Bubba’s Bar-B-Q offered its ever-popular turkey legs together with barbeque meals. There have been additionally vehicles from Maria’s Tacos, Neglect Me Not, Gyro Palace, Boba Tea 168, WOW Donuts and extra – a different choice that left many festival-goers pondering their choices. Anderson stated she was happy with what number of meals distributors the occasion was in a position to snag this 12 months.
Additionally spectacular, Anderson stated, was the group of distributors on Middle St. After a really small number of distributors took half within the competition final 12 months, the road was lined with individuals providing clothes, cleaning soap, probiotic lemonades and far more.
“I find it irresistible,” Anderson stated. “Angel [Campbell] takes care of the distributors and retailers, and he or she’s been busting her butt recruiting. She’s gotta be near what she stated she was gonna have, and we had solely three or 4 final 12 months.”
The early afternoon was punctuated by the annual Low Rider Automotive Present/Hop, operated and hosted by Lizarde Hydraulics. A forged of inventive and different vehicles, vans and vehicles with distinctive adjusted suspensions had been on show.
T-R PHOTO BY AUSTIN CHADDERDON — The 80s rock tribute band The Hype hit all of the excessive notes and unforgettable guitar riffs on the bandshell downtown Saturday evening. This was the second 12 months the band has been at Oktemberfest and was met by an enthusiastic crowd who busted out their snakeskin and leather-based pants to relive their glory days.
As afternoon turned to nighttime, the anticipation was excessive for the featured musical performer – The Hype. The Nineteen Eighties cowl band was the headliner for the second consecutive 12 months after there have been good reactions to their efficiency in 2021.
The sensation was mutual, based on guitarist Johnny Holliday.
“We had been tremendous excited. This was a variety of enjoyable final 12 months and [Marshalltown] took excellent care of us,” Holliday stated. “Once we noticed this come again on the calendar, we had been excited to come back again.”
Following The Hype on Saturday was a slew of closing occasions on Sunday. The Chili Prepare dinner-Off returned after a multiple-year absence, whereas the Motorbike Present passed off within the afternoon.
Because the competition got here to a detailed, Vice President of the Oktemberfest board Tammy Shedding expressed her appreciation and delight for the reception to the competition and the work carried out to make it an excellent weekend for the Marshalltown neighborhood.
“I’m extraordinarily happy with our entire whole board,” Shedding stated. “We’ve had new board members come on and it’s been a studying expertise for them, however they’ve hit the bottom working they usually’ve been doing a tremendous job. I imply, have a look at all of the crafters and retailers right here, it’s been years and years since we’ve had this many. It’s simply superb.”
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Contact Noah Rohlfing at 641-753-6611 or [email protected].
