By Jordan Studer
jstuder@wbcowqel.com

Thursday evening kicked off the 12th annual Dutchtown Hatchery Festival in New Washington. As the streets filled with people, the air filled with great smells, music, and laughter.

The Dutchtown Hatchery Festival got started 12 years ago as a way to raise money to beautify downtown New Washington and it has become a tradition ever since.

“We were looking for a way to raise some money to do more of this wonderful streetscape that we have, without taxing anyone. Through some various conversations we said everybody raises money in these small communities by having a fair or a festival for some particular heritage. Well, what is New Washington’s heritage? Of course it’s chick hatcheries! We’re the place where that started, so let’s have a Hatchery Festival,” replied former five-time mayor of New Washington Tom Niedermeier, who was mayor when the festival first started.

The amount of people that come out to support the community has stayed very strong. There are also many outsiders that like to enjoy the festivities. One woman, Claire McCrory of Bloomville, makes the festival an annual adventure.

When asked what keeps her coming back, McCrory replied, “It’s fun! I come over for the funnel cakes. Usually I bring my grandchildren, this year probably my great-grandchildren, and watch them do all of the rides. I like the music, I like walking up and down and watching the street events.”

Each year the line-up of entertainment and events is made to cater to the festival goers. This year is no exception. With Davey Jones hosting the WQEL live remote on the square, and the Luke Rietschlin Band playing later, there was no lack of entertainment for the ear.

To catch the attention of children, Big O Amusements had a selection of rides and entertainment right in the midway.  If the rides weren’t the preferred fun for the kiddos, they could be taken to the Kiddie Tractor Pull to test their skills.

The schedule for the rest of the Hatchery Festival includes:

Friday night:

• Midway and rides– 3-11 p.m. (Big O Amusements)
• Chicken Barbeque– 4-8 p.m. K of C Hall
• John Kennedy Band-7-9 p.m. Gazebo (Sponsored by First Federal Community Bank)
• Alternative Ending– 7-11 p.m. Beer Garden (Sponsored by Pete’s Café)
• Super Super 50/50 Drawing– 10 p.m.

Saturday:

• Breakfast and Bake Sale- 8-11 a.m. St. John’s Church
• Poker Run- Registration 9 a.m. American Legion (Last bike out at 11 a.m.)
• Midway and Rides- Noon- 11 p.m. (Big O Amusements)
• Garden Tractor Pull- Noon (In front of American Legion) (Sponsored by Rader’s Ice Cream)
• Chicken Barbeque- Noon-8 p.m. K of C Hall
• Gang Band on the Streets- 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Parade- 5 p.m. (Line up at The Herald Inc.)
• United in Harmony, Men’s Choral Singing Group-6-7 p.m. Gazebo (Sponsored by Hanes Farms)
• Kiddie Tractor Pull- Registration 6:30 p.m. Pull at 7:30 p.m. (In front of Post Office)
• 5K Run- 7 p.m. (Registration Dr. Thresa Young’s Office)
• Mick McCarthy Unplugged- 6-7 p.m. Beer Garden
• Gopher Baroque Band- 7-8 p.m. Beer Garden
• New Washington Town Band- 8-9 p.m. Gazebo
• Smoke Stack Lightening and Tamacco- 8-11 p.m. Beer Garden
• Fireworks- 10 p.m. (Rain Date Sunday, June 12, 10 p.m.) 2016 Polaris Ranger 570 EPS LE or $10,000 cash prize and Super Super 50/50 drawing after Fireworks