By: Adam Rollins, Staff Writer
Organizers for Wright City’s annual Strassenbash festival weren’t quite sure the event would happen until just over two weeks before the festival weekend.
Strassenbash is set to begin Oct. 2 with a car show and street festival on North First Street, then continue Oct. 3 with a parade through downtown Wright City and activities at Diekroeger Park.
The final decision whether to host Strassenbash this year was made by organizers with the Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 15.
“We were on the fence as to what we were going to do,” said Chamber President Kim Arbuthnot. She said they consulted the Warren County Health Department, and observed the Wright City School District to see if schools could provide a safe model for activities.
“(The schools) haven’t had a lot of issues. We felt it was safe to go forward, practicing social distancing as much as we could,” Arbuthnot said.
Returning to the classics
Strassenbash festivities are back to their former home at Diekroeger Park this year, and the annual festival parade is back to its former route through downtown Wright City. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.
Other Saturday attractions include a pancake breakfast at the park before the parade, commercial vendors, and a number of family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon.
“We’ve been working with the health department to make sure we are following social distancing,” Arbuthnot said. She explained that vendors and activities are going to be spread around the park, rather than all in a row. “We want to make sure people feel safe. We can’t force people to wear masks, but we highly encourage it.”
Arbuthnot said the county health department is also assisting with sanitation supplies for the event.
One of the new activities festival-goers will enjoy this year is “bubble ball” — large, inflated balls participants wear on their upper bodies while running into one another.
Live music will round out the day beginning at 8 p.m., with a wide range of other events and activities in between.
“We’re looking forward to some of our community members getting together,” Arbuthnot commented. “We wanted to have something for the community, with everything that’s going on right now.”
Car show taking over street
The Friday night car show will have North First Street shut down from the St. Louisiana Q restaurant to Town & County Garage, said garage co-owner Jenn Olivio.
The street closure begins at 3 p.m., the official start of the car show is 5 p.m., and a live band will perform from 7-9 p.m., Olivio said.
She said organizers are expecting more car show participants than years past.
“We are prepared for up to 100,” Olivio said. “We have seen that the car community is ready to get back out to car shows. We are hoping for a great turnout.”
The first 50 people to register cars in the show are guaranteed a T-shirt, Olivio added, and restaurants will be providing food and drink at the event.
