Lincolnville welcomes 27th Octoberfest crowd

 Rhett Noeth of Ramona plays with different types of grain at the Lincolnville Octoberfest last weekend. Lincolnville?s 27th annual Octoberfest on Saturday, with more than 350 people attending throughout the day-long event, was considered a success by organizers.

Mayor Barb Kaiser said it isn?t unusual for the city?s population of 203 to triple in size during Octoberfest.

?It?s important to have this community celebration,? she said. ?It?s not just about bringing Lincolnville together, but more for all the small towns in the area and people living in rural areas (to celebrate).?

Kaiser said she and her husband have been involved with Octoberfest for a very long time.

The Tiemeier family started the celebration many years ago, she said, and later the manager of the Tiemeier store (Kenny Brandt) took it over.

?When (Brandt) retired, he gave it to the city council to keep the celebration going,? Kaiser said.

City Councilor Cristina Peterson, who is in charge of celebrations, said she thought this year?s Octoberfest had a good turnout.

?It was so cold in the morning, but doing good now,? she said. ?I think the James Weber Softball Tournament helped, too.?

The event is all done by donations, Peterson said.

Lincolnville Mayor Barb Kaiser hands out prizes during one of many activities Saturday during Octoberfest.Children can play all day in the inflatable slides, bouncy cages or ride on the train for the cost of $5 per bracelet, she said.

?We don?t make any money off the bracelets, and what little money we do get, we are able to pay for bigger prizes,? Peterson said.

Free drawings were held every hour with tickets given away for admission to the Wichita Zoo, Rolling Hills Zoo and Kansas City Royals? game.

One thing Peterson said she was hoping for was a better turnout by vendors, but thought the colder temperatures may have been a deterrent.

In addition to the drawings, live entertainment on stage and several activities for children, the Centre High School freshman class sponsored a fundraiser for prom and graduation.

Dillon Deines, one of the freshman, said Herington Salvage Yard donated a vehicle that people could smash with a sledge hammer.

?There was only one rule,? said Justin Silhan, also a freshman, ?and that was we couldn?t smash the tires because then they couldn?t get it back on the trailer.?

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