The annual Strassenbash, held this past weekend in Wright City, didn’t start out as planned.“This was the first year we had a complete washout on Friday night,” said Mary Groeper with the Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization that runs the event.“There was so much water it was just unsafe,” she said.Friday’s band, One More Round, was sent home without performing. The presentation for person of the year also was canceled.However there is a person of the year — Pastor Joseph Purl of the Wright City Church of the Nazarene. He was recognized for his work as the Wright City police chaplain, his efforts to help the community since the closing of the food pantry and other community service.The sun came out Saturday and the event went on as planned.“We had a gorgeous day and everyone did well and had fun,” Groeper said.Strassenbash, an annual family friendly event, is held at Diekroeger Park. It features live music, a queen coronation, baby show and contest, parade and 5K run/walk. There also are kids activities, and food and merchant vendors.Abby Thomas was crowned the Strassenbash Queen. She was sponsored by Quick Fix 24-Hour Mobile Mechanic, LLC.Ashley Schulte was selected as first runner-up. She was sponsored by J. Graeler Photography.Second runner-up was Morgan Rohan, sponsored by Steve & Sons Landscaping, LLC, and Miss Congenality was Lilly Sargent, sponsored by First State Community Bank.Each year, about 5,000 people attend the festival. Attendance is free while vendors may charge for their products and services.Curt Kehoe and Kimberly Arbuthnot were chairpersons for the event. Tina Lashley and Julie McCloud were chairpersons for the Queen Contest.“It’s the biggest thing that happens in Wright City,” said Arbuthnot, who has attended the event for many years as a resident.Arbuthnot said the majority of visitors are from the immediate area. With that in mind, the event has consistently offered local draws such as the baby contest and queen contest.Other activities, such as the live bands, draw guests from further away and offer Wright City a chance to show off what the city has to offer.“It’s a fun, small gathering of the community, and it has a little bit of everything for everyone,” she said.Groeper said Strassenbash’s roots go back to 1982, when construction on the east interchange at Interstate 70 was underway, inconveniencing merchants and motorists alike. The work rerouted drivers to the western ramps and residents had to drive all the way around town.“When construction was over, merchants decided to celebrate,” she said. “They called it the Bridge Fiasco Celebration, then it kept going every year and became Strassenbash.”The event’s goals are to highlight area businesses in a fun environment for the entire family.

The Strassenbash Court, above, from left, includes Ashley Shultz, first runner up; Abby Thomas, 2016 Queen; Audrey Hurting, second runner up; and Lilly Sargent, Miss Congeniality. Jana Todd photo.