Chaffee gears up for today's German Days festival

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Despite setbacks for this year's German Days celebration in Chaffee, people working for the city are going to keep the tradition running strong. It might hurt attendance that two of last year's big attractions — carnival rides and a softball game — will not be present at the celebration this year, said Tom Cunningham, a Chaffee Elks lodge member. The lodge helps to organize the event.

"We haven't had rides in the past, and it didn't hurt us then," Cunningham said.

The celebration kicks off its second day of family fun today at 11 a.m. Festivities will go until 8 p.m., when music and dancing will begin.

There is still plenty of fun, with a dunking booth, horseshoe and washer contests, a talent show, music and dances. Food is also an integral part of the celebration. This year's choices include bratwursts, German potato salad, fried chicken, lemon shake-ups, barbecue and homemade ice cream.

Carnival rides weren't included this year because the celebration's longtime organizer Steve Davidson recently died, said Chris Knudtson, a member of the Elks lodge.

There won't be a softball game because Frisco Field, where the game would have been played, is being renovated.

Cunningham said a younger generation of Elks lodge members will soon take over the activities at the celebration. For example, Cunningham said the dunking booth might be a little too much fun for him anymore.

"I'll be too busy doing something else," he said. "It's time for this old man to let those young boys do the work."

Eric Seyer, a lifelong resident of Chaffee, is a part of the younger generation of Elks lodge members. Seyer said his father was a member of the Elks lodge and a huge influence on him becoming a member.

"I liked what they did for the community," Seyer said about the Elks.

Seyer particularly appreciates how the Elks benefit the community. He said giving out college scholarships, hosting drug awareness programs and organizing a "Hoop-Shoot," a free-throw basketball shooting contest that allows the winners to compete in a national competition, are some of the programs he appreciates.

Seyer said these programs have motivated him to stay active in the Elks.

Friday's festivities started with a catfish dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m., a pageant at 6 p.m. and music and dance at 8 p.m. Today's events will include a talent show at noon, horseshoe and washer throwing tournaments at 1 p.m., a kiddie tractor pull at 6 p.m. and more music at 8 p.m. All events take place at Frisco Field.

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