Chaffee's German festival keeps on going

CHRIS PAGANO * semissourian.com

Cole Dannenmueller, 18 months old, held tight to his chicken leg while performing an impromptu dance on the vacant dance floor at Chaffee's German Days on Saturday. By Chris Pagano

Southeast Missourian

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- While it has been a struggle to keep the celebration going, about 200 people came to Frisco Park for Chaffee German Days on Saturday.

Chaffee Historical Society member Barbara Mantel Arnold said her sister, Bonnie Rister, and her sister's husband, Arlie, started Chaffee German Days in 1980 with help from their citizens-band radio club. The chamber of commerce took over in 1983; now the Elks Club and the city sponsor the event.

Authentic German food is a thing of the past, with the exception of bratwurst served with sauerkraut or peppers. Instead, homemade ice cream, funnel cakes, curly fries and other fair-like cuisine abounded.

"There used to be a German costume contest, a German band and more authentic German food. It got too expensive. Now we operate strictly with volunteers," said Donna Cannon.

After the CB club gave up sponsorship, the chamber then took responsibility in 1983. The chamber, Cannon said, "was about to abandon the idea when my husband, Mayor Bill Cannon, took responsibility and got it up and running in two weeks."

The following year, the Elks were asked for help and they've been there ever since.

Getting help is one of the problems in staging German Days. Many community members are involved in several organizations and cannot participate because of commitments to other organizations.

New features

However, German Days did have some new features this year, such as remote-controlled cars with gas and electric engines and the Chaffee Nutrition Center's fish sale in an air-conditioned building.

Michelle Perkins sat under a tent serving snowcones in multiple flavors for Cub Scout Pack 51, Den 1. Dens were taking turns at the stand.

"The boys took a tour of the jail and learned of a need for bullet-resistant vests in the community," she said. "One vest can cost up to $700. We're not even close to the goal yet."

The story is similar at numerous tents scattered throughout the park.

"It's a good community project. Schools, churches and corporations all get involved. Annually it brings everybody together for one common interest," said Bob Sullivan, secretary of the Elks Club. He called the organization the "legs" of the event -- getting things where they need to be, like the sound system.

Money for cancer victim

The event also raised money for former Chaffee resident Nikki Bradley, who will benefit from a 50/50 raffle and donation pot set up for her 5-year-old son, B.J., a victim of cancer.

Residents say the population consists of about 40 to 50 percent German descendants.

"I don't even know where they got the 'German Days' from," said talent show coordinator Debbie Sadler.

But that doesn't matter to many residents.

"If Chaffee German Days was not held next year, it would be a complete economic disaster for the community," said Chaffee resident Charles Huey, 18. "It would be like the SEMO District Fair not coming to Cape County."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133