Wright City’s annual Strassenbash festival was last weekend, bringing out large crowds of people to watch a parade throughout downtown and enjoy music, games and vendors at Diekroeger Park.

This was the 35th annual Strassenbash.

“I thought it went very well,” said Kim Arbuthnot, chairman of the committee that organized Strassenbash. “I think the new vendors brought out some new faces.”

The festival this year for the first time featured do-it-yourself ornament pottery painting and sign making workshops, along with a family lunch with character actors dressed as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” and the superhero Spider-Man.

Making people aware of those new offerings was one of the challenges this year, Arbuthnot said. She added that organizers had hoped to have slightly higher attendance for the events, but that vendors themselves were still pleased with the turnout.

For overall attendance, Arbuthnot said competing with a Wright City football home game Friday night slowed turnout.

Saturday morning did not present the same challenge for the Strassenbash Parade. Arbuthnot complimented the parade committee, headed by Brad Schuster of First State Community Bank, for how well organized the parade was.

For next year, Arbuthnot said Strassenbash organizers are working toward major changes.

“The committee feels that we are outgrowing Diekroeger,” she said, hinting that the festival could change locations.

Person of the Year

Jeff Catron, a D.A.R.E. and school resource officer (SRO) with the Wright City Police Department  was named Person of the Year.

The award, said Arbuthnot, is given to people whose actions have made a positive change in the community.   

Catron is an SRO in the Wright City School District and teachers the D.A.R.E.  program to fifth grade students at West Elementary. 

Catron said he is driven by a need to help others. 

“It’s a self-pride thing, just knowing you’re a positive influence in peoples’ lives and helping people in the community,” he said. 

Catron isn’t thinking about awards or recognition when he’s helping out; he’s just doing what he knows. Still, being nominated was an honor. He didn’t expect to win. 

“I was honored and a bit surprised. I don’t do these things for recognition. I do them for enjoyment,” Catron said. “It’s nice, though, that other people notice it.” 

Kelly Brooks, the special education coordinator for the Wright City School District, nominated Catron.

In addition to his work at the school and being a police officer, Catron is often at the center of community events, such as organizing a kids’ fishing derby and co-charing the recent Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention. He serves on many boards and committees and is often present as school events and fundraisers.

He volunteers at events for the Warren County Handicap Services and Relay For Life of Warren County, and is active with Special Olympics. 

“Even the smallest thing you do for someone can be life changing. You don’t know the impact you have on someone else,” he said. 

Shortly after earning the Person of the Year title, Catron was on his way to a national conference for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. 

Catron participates in the Torch Run every year and has spent countless hours raising money for Special Olympics athletes.  

Strassenbash Queen 

Lilly Sargent is the 2017 Strassenbash queen.

“It feels so good,” she said. “I really like it so far,” she said. 

She added that friends are really proud of her.

Lilly is a junior at Wright City High School. Last year, her first year as a Strassenbash queen candidate, she earned the Miss Congeniality title. 

She ran because she has seen the positive things Strassenbash queens do for the community. 

Her favorite activities are those that involve children, like Halloween Trunk or Treat and Breakfast With Santa. 

As a candidate, she and the other girls completed community service, presented speeches, conducted interviews with judges and sold event tickets.

Lilly, whose candidacy was sponsored by Legacy Drug Store, sold about 900 tickets. 

“My favorite (community service activity), personally, was visiting the PALS animal shelter,” she said. 

Her favorite moments as queen started early. 

“One little girl already walked up to me because she thought I was a princess,” Lilly said.

Lilly was crowned by Abby Thomas, the 2016 Strassenbash queen, who wore her crown to school last year after winning her title. Lilly left her crown at home. 

“Mom and Dad put up a shelf and now it’s in my room,” she said. 

Arbuthnot said queen candidates are judged on three elements. Ticket sales and community service are important. Arbuthnot said this year’s candidates were especially outstanding at community service projects.

The biggest part of the judging, though is the public speaking portion.  

“They go before a panel of judges and they give a speech, promoting the business they are representing,” she said. 

This was where Lilly was a stand-out. 

McKinzie Lee, sponsored by Kelly Hill-Shelter Insurance, was named 1st Runner Up. Meagan McCloud, sponsored by Mittler Bros. Machine and Tool, was named 2nd Runner Up. Madysen Love, sponsored by Hillermann & Associates Insurance Agency, was named Miss Congeniality. 

The remaining 2017 candidates were Elizabeth Allee sponsored by Wright City Hardware & General Store, Clara Bruno sponsored by Wright Way Diner, and Jazmin Doherty sponsored by Wright City Veterinary Clinic.

The Queen and her runners up kept their crowns and sashes. All of the candidates received goody bags.

Strassenbash queen contest finalists pose together after the 2017 coronation Sept. 16. Pictured, from left, are Miss Congeniality Madysen Love, second runner-up Meagan McCloud, first runner-up McKinzie Lee and 2017 Queen Lilly Sargent. Record photo/ Jana Todd.