A Vabulous Volksfest~2009

Love, Sue

It was a day and a destination that were made for each other.  Delightful.  Entertaining.  Interesting.  Fabulous, in fact.  The Victoria Volksfest has come of age.

Streets neatly lined with canopies of vendors selling their wares — paintings, sculptures, jewelry, clothing, flowers, and goods galore — set the stage and provided the perfect way to spend time between kiddie parade and petting zoo, community band and magic acts, bed races and Adirondack chair auction, food contests and barbershop quartet.

In other words, combining the art fair with the scheduled activities was a stroke that led to spectacular success, in the eyes of this editor.

Also, streets lined with shiny antique cars, sidewalks with pavers and boulevard trees, attractive street lights and banners and handsome buildings provided the perfect backdrop and storybook setting.

Downtown Victoria did not seem packed with people for Volksfest because of the large expanse of cordoned space to stroll and shop, eat and visit, and leisurely enjoy the day.

The weather was also made to order for Saturday, August 29th, with plenty of sunshine but not heat, plenty of breeze but not wind.

As with every other outdoor event in Minnesota, the absence of rain contributed hugely to the enjoyment and festivities.

Little Sophie Orsen was so tired so she just laid against her mommy and shut her eyes for a while.

Some of the Volksfest visitors have roots in Victoria that go way back to the beginning.  Meet (l-r) Mike Wartman, Mark Jesberg, and Julianne Wartman.

Rick Stucki and Janet Riley represented our new Fresh Seasons Market in Victoria.

Lynn and Stan Gabriel of Victoria and their children Faith and Blake smiled for the editor.

Chester Mathwig, left, stopped to chat with Lloyd Bonkoski and his display of wildlife prints custom framed from barnwood material.

Victoria Mayor Mary Hershberger Thun and her husband Dave found a comfy seat.

Mary Hadaway of Victoria, and also the SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce, scurried around the Volksfest responding to issues in her sparkling white golf cart.

Deb McMillan of Victoria, center, is President of the SouthWest Metro Chamber.  Also in the picture (l-r) are Brad Gruhot of Chamber, and Kim and Rob Raiolo and Doug Gardner of Victoria.

A silent auction was held for a grand array of Adirondack chairs purchased, painted, and designed by Victoria business people and organizations.

A live auction was held for some of the chairs.  Altogether, there were 29 Adirondacks auctioned off as a fundraiser for the Volksfest event.

When a scheduled activity such as the bed races or chair auction arrived, spectators emerged from the corners and alleys like bees from a honeycomb.

Bed races down the main street of Victoria were rather exciting and none too serious, naturlich. 

Who has more fun that a bunch of boys pushing a bed?

The answer:  More boys pulling a bed.

Best decorated bed was declared by audience approval.

Winner of the Medallion Hunt was little Lydia Jackels of Victoria.  Her parents are Roger and Paula Jackels.  Her brother is Nathan.  Her sister is Mariah.

Margaret and Bob Muller of Victoria had an eye on their favorite Adirondack chair painted by Hartman Companies, and their bidding was successful.

Paul and Kelly Kohls of Victoria and children Stanley and Caroline visited their hometown fair.  Yes, he’s the same Paul Kohls who wants to be the Governor of Minnesota.  (Go, Paul!)

Thank you, Danny, Barbie, and Bobby, for your good service at the Victoria House.

Thank you, Rick, for your good service at Floyd’s.

Thank you, Jen Chapman, for working so hard in past years to get Volksfest started, and hello to your husband Joe.  Thank you to the dozens of people who spent hundreds of hours to plan, organize, sponsor, and work on behalf of this large production.  It was a Vabulous Volksfest.