Victoria Volksfest ~ 2015

Email:  Sue@PrintsPublishing.com

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It was Thursday afternoon, August 13th,when I found myself following Rick Stucki, left, and Randy Miller to the rooftop of Victoria’s market.  Randy is president of the Victoria Business Association.

Rick, a partner at Victoria’s Market, knew where to find the stairs.

Randy had contacted Andon Balloons & Signs out of Richfield to help get the job done.

Randy ties and secures the flagged string to an apparatus on the roof.  Rick keeps the balloon “grounded.”

The intent was to advertise the Victoria Volksfest, beginning the next day for the three-day weekend.

When we arrived downtown Victoria Friday afternoon, one of the streets was crowded with vehicles from the Victoria Fire Department and an ambulance from the Ridgeview Medical Center.

A woman in her 70’s had collapsed in the 95-degree heat and high humidity.

Fred and Mary Sue Plocher were selling Stealing Watermelons, Fred’s novel set in the Victoria community.

Larisa Zeiszler of Solutions by De-Zyn works closely with Randy Miller in promoting Victoria and its Centennial Year 2015.

The Valley Community Band is a large draw every year at the Volkfest, and wherever else they perform.

Left to right:  Lori and Pat Wartman of Silver Spring, Maryland, their daughter Maggie, Jerry and Gerda Schmieg of Victoria, Julianne Wartman of Victoria, and son Mike Wartman of Prior Lake, a brother of Pat and five other siblings, all of whom grew up in Victoria.

Dorleen and Sylvester Schmieg, now of Waconia, and daughter Dawn Dammann, one of their 14 children.

Hi, BobWendt.

We had dinner at the Victoria House with Bob and Mary Lindall.  Bob graduated from the Minneota High School three years before Allan and I graduated.

The barge floating near the shoreline on Stieger Lake was the focal point and home base of the fireworks on Saturday night.  The barge is 10 feet by 30 feet and weighs 7 tons.

People moved in early to claim front row seats on the block retaining wall .

The boulder retaining wall, which outlines Bayfront Park, also became a favorite as the sun went down.

Most comfortable seats for viewing the fireworks were found across the street at the outdoor patios of Vic’s Bar and Grill and the Victoria House restaurants.

Most people were listening to the downtown bands until the fireworks were ready to shoot, including (l-r):  Mary Moore, Joe Chapman, three unidentified girls, Tom and Brenda Schrempp.

Ready for the fireworks, Marge and Roger Leuthner (outside chairs), and Kay and Maurice Leuthner at the table.

Mary Moore and I thought we had the best seats in the house, just outside the Victoria House.