Warsaw plans busy weekend with SeptemberFest Saturday, and Cemetery Walk Sunday

Rosemary McNeil portrayed Mrs. Alber at last year’s cemetery walk. She and nine others will tell stories of Warsaw residents from the past on Sunday, Sept. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The annual Septemberfest festival in Warsaw is Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Ralston Park. It's a family oriented day in the park full of games, food entertainment, booths, car shows, door prizes and more.

The day begins with registration for the car show at “The Point”, from 8 to 11 a.m. A parade of decorated Power Wheels will leave Casey's at 6th and Main and progress to the park for judging. No pre-entry is necessary. The VFW and American Legion officially open the vent with the presentation of the flag at park center followed by singing of the national anthem by Amanda Bunn.

Entertainment for the day begins immediately at the basketball court with McNamara's Band featuring Mary Lynn Metternich-Arms, followed at 11:30 a.m. by “Passionate”; 12:30 p.m., O'Fallon Irish Dancers; 1 p.m. “Blue Moose”; 2 p.m. WHS Steppers; 2:20 p.m., karate demonstration; 2:45 p.m., the band “Intermission.” The grand finale, Deal or No Deal at 3:45, features local celebrities and contestants chosen from a drawing of entrants. (Enter at Hill Dodge Bank or City Hall prior or the Septemberfest table that day.)

At 11 a.m. there will be tricycle races (Bring your own bike) on the south side of the park for children two to five years old. The Warsaw Explorers will sponsor a hot dog eating contest at noon, and the Warsaw Police will offer fingerprinting for children. Other features will be a children's train ride and a hay rack ride.

“Nauvoo on the Road” will have hands-on activities such as cookie, brick, candle, and rope making along with pioneer children's games. From noon to 2 p.m. there will be races and contests for the pre-K through grade 12 on the west side of the park. At 2 p.m. is the straw scramble for ages pre-k through fourth grade. Community games begin at 2:15 p.m. with egg toss, balloon toss, and beach ball blast.

There'll be door prizes all day, a silent auction, contests, and raffles for a $100 meat bundle from Pa's Market, a $50 Casey's gas card, and $50 savings bond at the Septemberfest table. Food vendors include FFA, pork chop/rib eye dinners; Boy Scouts, hamburgers and hot dogs; Warsaw women, funnel cakes; Habitat for Humanity pies; plus Indian bread, caramel apples, homemade root beer, ice cream, lemonade shake-ups, kettle corn, cotton candy and soda. There are booths with crafts, novelties, flea markets, bake sales, a dunk tank and other games, etc.

Ralston Park is between 3rd and 4th and VanBuren and Polk (north of Main near the Point). Handicapped parking is available on the 4th Street side of the park. No pets, skates, skateboards, or bikes are allowed in the park. A teen dance for middle aged youth is planned at the shelter house from 8 to 10 p.m. for a small admission.Ten historical people will be featured during the Warsaw Historical Society Oakland Cemetery tour. The tour will be Sunday, Sept. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. The rain date is Oct. 7.

Live re-inactors attired in period costumes present at each illuminated grave, and there might be a surprise or two along the way.

Small tour groups will be led through the first circle drive of the old section with luminaries along the way. Flashlights are welcome after dusk.

Handicapped parking is available at the cemetery; however others are asked to park at the Warsaw High School and ride the free shuttle bus. The walk is handicapped friendly (two or three chairs will be available at each site).

Personalities featured will be Amos Worthen, Oliver Edwards, Dr. Samuel Manzke, Phillip Dallom, Martin Eckbohm, Joseph Fry, John and Eudocia Marsh, John Wilcox, John Edward Johnson, and Charles Warner. A $5 donation is requested, and refreshments will be served at the ceremony.