Parading for Oktoberfest

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

October 06, 2008 01:08 pm

— OTTUMWA — Did you see the nine-foot tall monster? Or the guy who “popped a wheelie” on a motorcycle no bigger than a tricycle? Did you hear Moravia High School bang those drums?
If you said yes, most likely you’re smiling. If no, then you weren’t at the Oktoberfest Parade Saturday in downtown Ottumwa.
Don’t worry — thousands of other people jammed the streets to soak up sun, sights and sounds and to catch candy and other treats from float riders.
Maria Hernandez and her three children were at curbside across from Hotel Ottumwa.
“The children are having fun. They’re very excited,” she said. “My favorite is the marching bands.”
Judi Peterson of Eddyville and Loretta Jaske of Ottumwa were comfortable in lawn chairs near the Market Street entrance to River Hills. Both “love a parade” and smiled as much as candy-catching kids.
Both said they have “musical” grandchildren. Peterson’s two grandchildren marched in the Eddyville-Blakesburg High School Band. One of Jaske’s was in the Ottumwa High School Band and the other was in the Evans Middle School Band.
“I thought they looked sharp,” Jaske said.
Across the street the Wilson family needed something sweet. Ottumwans Tony and Sarah Wilson and Zander Procter stopped at Ottumwa Service League’s table of treats.
Overseeing the bake sale were Heather Rich, Tracy Williams and Jennifer Keith, all League members.
After the parade dispersed, many marching band members enjoyed food under the Oktoberfest Tent or from food vendors near the tent.
Some of the bands have drum-line teams who competed after the parade. Band members and numerous citizens jammed into the tent while waiting to hear who won these awards:
Floats
• Noncommercial: Ottumwa Police Department’s DARE, first; Ottumwa High School Drama, second; and IHCC Aviation, third.
• Commercial Floats: Cargill Animal Protein, first; Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, second; and KYOU Fox 15, third.
• Most Creative Floats: OPD’s DARE, first; IHCC EMS Responders, second; and Cargill Animal Protein, third.
Band Awards
Outstanding Senior Band Member Award/Scholarship: Lea Johnson of Moravia High School received a $250 scholarship.
Class 3A: Central Lee High School, first; and Chariton High School, second.
Class 2A: Wayne High School, first; Van Buren County High School, second.
Class 1A: Moravia High School, first; Winfield-Mount Union High School, second; and Scotland County (Missouri) High School, third.
Best Junior Band Award: Wayne Middle School, first; Pekin Middle School, second; and Central Lee Junior High, third.
Drum Line Competition (Middle School): Evans Middle School.
Drum Line Competition (Senior High): Central Lee, first; Moravia, second; and Winfield-Mount Union, third.
Sweepstakes Award (based on criteria such as marching and inspection): Wayne County High School.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.

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