GOSHEN —
Cold weather and changing leaves made Goshen’s First Fridays Oktoberfest seem all the more autumn-like.
Crowds gathered downtown on Washington Street to take in events for all ages, from pumpkin decorating and hay rides to a beer garden and “Feats of Strength,” a new event created by new First Fridays coordinator Katrina Maust.
“This ties in with the ‘Oktoberfest’ theme,” Maust said. “I see these events as displaying brawn, and they help get people active. They’re fun.”
The “Feats of Strength” included a high-striker, a log sawing contest, an arm wrestling competition, a nail hammering contest and stein racing, according to Maust.
The stein racing is not a drinking game, but rather a speed race of who can carry six full steins of beer the fastest without spilling any liquid, Maust said.
“We’ll also have the belly competition, where we’re looking for the most beautiful Oktoberfest belly,” Maust said with a smile.
Next month’s First Fridays, held Nov. 2, will focus on the “art of the everyday,” according to Maust. Also downtown was pumpkin decorating for children. Terri Wentz, part of the event staff for First Fridays, helped local children with stickers and other no-mess decorations.
“There’s no paint or sticky stuff,” Wentz said. “It helps keep things clean.”
Wentz said the cold weather during Friday’s event was chillier than normal — par for the course of strange weather plaguing First Fridays during 2012.
“Since May we’ve either had temperatures too warm to be comfortable or rainy and drizzly weather,” Wentz said. “Last year was perfect, and we had about 380 pumpkins for kids to decorate. This year, we cut it by about 100.”
Goshen College also participated in First Fridays with live music and swing dancing. Public Relations director Richard Aguirre said the college loves to work with First Fridays.
“That’s part of the reason for the banner (“Goshen College Loves First Fridays,” hanging outside The Electric Brew downtown),” he said. “Goshen has been very welcoming to the college, and it helps that we have alumni stay in the community after they graduate.”
The college’s Homecoming weekend falls this weekend, Aguirre said.
“This is a great time to welcome the alumni into Goshen,” he said.
Just beyond Washington Street, Fifth Street played host to the Clubhouse’s open house celebration. The Clubhouse is a member-driven community for individuals who have suffered mental illness, director Rich Meyer said. The Clubhouse helps those individuals transition into work or school.
“This was jump-started by a group here, including Leah (Garboden), who wanted something in Elkhart County,” Meyer said.
Garboden said the Clubhouse provides a different way of looking at mental illness.
“We needed something to be more than a medical treatment center,” Garboden said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Lindsay Lusty helps daughter Layla, 7, of Goshen, decorate a pumpkin during First Friday Oktoberfest. SAM HOUSEHOLDER
-
A hay ride makes its way down Main Street during First Fridays Oktoberfest celebration Friday evening. SAM HOUSEHOLDER
FIRST FRIDAYS: Fall-like weather perfect for Oktoberfest theme
- Local News
-
-
SLIDESHOW: Pets of the Week
Featured pets available for adoption at the Humane Society of Elkhart County.
-
Goshen firefighter promoted
Shane McKerchie recently completed his probationary year at the Goshen Fire Department.
-
No major progress for liquor legislation
INDIANAPOLIS — When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
NWMS leaders receive music honors
WAKARUSA — For NorthWood Middle School’s departing principal, George Roelandts, his career in education is approaching a coda.
-
GMS science teacher combines love of Elkhart River, music for festival
GOSHEN – Two of Jake Miller’s passions converged as naturally as the Elkhart River does with the St. Joseph.
-
City closer to acquiring former Goshen Inn property
Elkhart County Commissioners Monday took the next step in a process that could result in Goshen officials taking possession of the old Holiday Inn property on Goshen’s south side. The move follows a similar approval by the Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety May 6.
-
You should know: Tom Yoder
GOSHEN — Tom Yoder doesn’t mind getting dirty when he’s pursuing one of his favorite interests — gardening.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Here today and gone tomorrow
Word of changes at Navistar wasn’t entirely unexpected. More than 500 jobs leaving Wakarusa? That information was a surprise.
-
ADEC bike ride draws crowd
ELKHART — Cycling met philanthropy at Concord High School Saturday morning as approximately 250 cyclists hit the pavement to show their support for the 41st annual ADEC Ride-A-Bike fundraising event.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
