The group of community boosters met on Wednesday, September 18 at noon in Missouri Made in Cole Camp.
Megan Petersen with the Warsaw Chamber started the updates and happenings from around Warsaw. Megan stated there had been some revamping of their Chamber and spoke about the fast approaching Heritage Days. She announced Saturday, October 19 the hours are 9:00 AM-5:00 PM and on Sunday, October 20, it goes from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM.
They have signed up 250 vendors, food trucks, arts and crafts, direct sales and much more. The event takes place on Drake Harbor, Main Street and the Community Building in Warsaw.
Under the topic of Halloween, Megan stated they would celebrate on the actual day, October 31, which is a Thursday night. It is called Halloween Hoopla and is held downtown on Main Street from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. There is a Costume contest, Trick-or-Treating and all ages are welcome. If anyone wants to have a booth, contact the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce.
Lincoln’s Frightfully Fun Family Night is on Halloween at the big city park with all sorts of Halloween activities that include the entire family.
Cole Camp is holding a Pumpkinfest to celebrate the spooky holiday and it’s scheduled for Saturday, October 26. It includes a pumpkin carving, spooky scavenger hunt, food vendors, 5K Zombie Run and Walk, a Spirit Stroll and a Haunted House at RiOak.
Cole Camp is winding September down with Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 28 with live German Music, food and traditional festivities held in downtown Cole Camp in the Jaycee Gardens and the Antique Tractor club is hosting their farm show at the same time. The Tractor Club is providing trams to transport attendees between the two events. The Tractor Club has apple cider presses operating, apple butter being cooked, a beekeeper, a blacksmith, wheat threshing and straw baling. There is butter being churned and a sugar cane and molasses press to name just a few of the many activities they demonstrate.
Sam Cole and Susan Kyle reported the Cole Camp Fair was a huge success and the Fair Board had great help from the city and it's police department.
Kyle reminded everyone that RiOak was holding their Fall Market on Saturday, September 21 with vendors set up all along Maple Street. Maple Street will be closed throughout the day.
Lincoln Mayor Glen Nelson announced the Open House for the Warsaw/Lincoln Ambulance District’s 50th anniversary celebration would be held Saturday, September 21.
Mayor Nelson said the city has been actively doing the required testing of their water system for lead. He stated this is mandatory and homeowners need to know banks and lending institutions will not make loans until the pipes in a house are cleared.
Nelson said the plan is to now have the walls in the Green Space downtown stabilized and prepared for murals to be added. The Balloon Glow profits are to go toward that funding. The murals will represent important history data of the Lincoln Community.
Lynette Stokes, Benton County Tourism Director, reported the video reels currently playing on the website have had many hits from persons interested in what Benton County has to offer. She responded to complaints about the brevity of some of the locations and said if anyone desired a longer presentation they could contact John Dunn, a videographer. Lynette has also been working with AI to locate markets to target for advertising dollars.
Stokes announced there is a new RV Park on Hwy 83. They also provide some cabins and a lodge. They are called Mimosa Place and will host the October 3 Chamber meeting with food catered in from Hilltop Barbecue. That meeting will be on Wednesday, October 16 at noon.
