By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
A festival that has been dear to the hearts and stomachs of Okarche residents is back on Oct 18.
This marks the 46th year for Deutchesfest which will be held at Holy Trinity Auditorium Friday from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The German sausage and homemade sauerkraut dinner is a fundraiser for the Lion’s Club service projects.
“Our goal, a net figure, is $6,000,” said club secretary Tom Schaefer. “We support scholarships to graduating seniors, just about every school group’s fundraiser, Camp Goddard, Christmas Connection, but of course the main thing is eyeglasses. Anyone in need of eyeglasses we work with an eye doctor in Kingfisher, Dr. McMillun.”
The club welcomes any spokesperson from a nonprofit organization or charitable club which is in need of a little help.
“We like to have people speak at our meetings and usually we vote to help them,” Schaefer said.
The dinner is the largest source of funding for the club, but Schaefer is concerned that he doesn’t see any younger faces in the group.
“I look around and I don’t see any younger members stepping in,” he said.
Despite the lack of younger volunteers, the feast never fails to satisfy a huge crowd.
More than 600 hungry guests come from all over the state.
Adult tickets are $10 in advance, $11 at the door and children under 12 are $5 in advance, $6 at the door.
The Okarche Lions Club chapter was formed November 30, 1949.
