So we made it to Odessa. A nice town founded by Germans who had homesteaded in Russia and came to America when things got tight in Russia.
80% of immigrants settling in Odessa are consisted of Germans from Russia. Many settlers heard of the new land through friends and relatives already living in areas south of Odessa, such as Ritzville and Colfax. These German families, living along the Black Sea and the Volga River in Russia as wheat farmers for the past 100 years, were discouraged by increasing taxes, government harassment, and forced military service. Therefore, their decisions to leave Russia and move westward were easily made. Entire families came to the Odessa area, bringing with them the German culture they strove to retain throughout the many years of hardships under Russian domination.
Hello Odessa!. In September they have a festival called Deutschesfest. Each year the town hosts the Odessa Deutschesfest, which occurs on the
third weekend in September. Several thousand guests travel from distant
places to experience the German festival. Attractions include the
Sausage Bowl (Odessa High School 8-man football), Quilt Display, Art
Show, Horseshoe Tournament, Historisches Museum, Bed and Tricycle races,
Flea Market, Parade featuring modern farm machinery, Jugend (Youth)
Garten, German Biergarten, and food circus. Some of the foods featured
at the event include traditional German sausage, kartoffel und kloese,
reuben sandwiches, borscht soup, kuchen, apple strudel, hot potato
salad, pfeffernüsse, cabbage rolls, and a variety of homemade pies.
Polka music is provided by the Oom Pas and Mas, composed of
lederhosen-wearing local musicians. The group is known for its
performance of the Chicken Dance
Nice wide western main street. I like it.
There are many Churches with a Russian/German flavor
This is a plaque on the church shown above.
Oh oh.....Little House on the Prairie
Almost to Ritzville
We always know we are close to Ritzville when we see the Blue watertower
My Daughters back yard
Ritzville sunset. Tomorrow we go to Colfax to see Kylee at the rodeo
Y'll come back, ya hear!!!
80% of immigrants settling in Odessa are consisted of Germans from Russia. Many settlers heard of the new land through friends and relatives already living in areas south of Odessa, such as Ritzville and Colfax. These German families, living along the Black Sea and the Volga River in Russia as wheat farmers for the past 100 years, were discouraged by increasing taxes, government harassment, and forced military service. Therefore, their decisions to leave Russia and move westward were easily made. Entire families came to the Odessa area, bringing with them the German culture they strove to retain throughout the many years of hardships under Russian domination.
Y'll come back, ya hear!!!
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11 comments:
You're having wayyyyyy too much fun! Odessa looks like a great place. The festival I'd enjoy for sure. Our daughter lives in Cotopaxi, Colorado which was settled by Russian Jews in the 1800s.
Love your daughter's backyard! And the sunset!
being 1/2 german and raised in wisconsin, i'd enjoy that area and festival very much. i can dance a good polka, too.
Great story. Only been to the festival once. Way WAY too many people for me!
I need to go to Odessa just for the Chicken Dance!
The Deutschesfest sounds like quite a festival. I guess they need that wide street to hold all the exhibits and attractions. I really like the view from your daughter's back yard, and the sunset is gorgeous.
Looks like a great area.. I assume that mostly Germans (at least of German heritage) still live in that area... It would be neat going to that festival.
There is an Oktoberfest Festival near us --and it is similar (but on a smaller scale) to the one you talk about. We went one year to our festival and loved the German food and music....
I know you were pleased to see your daughter --and then get to see Kylee at the rodeo....
Gorgeous sunset.
Hugs,
Betsy
Is that backyard at her house? I need to see pictures of it! It looks like a park!
So fascinating how the town and even country might change, but the core cultural identity is still there - what a fun tour!
You photos make me want to take a road trip.
The countryside is gorgeous, MB!
I'd like to be at the festival for that wonderful sounding food. Plus I too know how to Polka.
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