By Sky Strauss, for The Ledger
Through the winding hills of Route N, just beyond the cornfields, there is a sign.
City limits: Martinsburg, population: 304.
Further ahead, on Jefferson Street, you can see the cars already lined up around the block. Parents, grandparents, and all their neighbors are pushing strollers and holding the hands of their little ones as they stream toward the white-roofed gazebo.
Everyone makes their way to the community park, where the 122nd annual Martinsburg Picnic is taking place.
This two-day event, organized by Martinsburg Area Community Betterment, has been a staple in this small town since 1903.
Molly Deimeke, 40, a member of Martinsburg Area Community Betterment, remembers this picnic from her childhood, although it looked quite different.
“It was really just about running around the park with your friends and having fun.”
Now Deimeke is responsible for organizing the picnic and has transformed it into a spectacle full of games, competitions, live music and local culinary delights.
The picnic is an opportunity to bring everyone together.
“There are people who never come to town, or maybe every now and then, and they come for a picnic.”
While the picnic currently serves as a family reunion for locals, their friends and families, Deimeke hopes to one day turn it into a class reunion for everyone.
Each year there is a new picnic theme that highlights a piece of Martinsburg’s history. This year’s theme is: This Old House
“We’ve had so many big, old homes demolished this year,” says Sue Fennewald of Martinsburg Area Community Betterment.
“When Molly called and asked, ‘What’s the theme of the picnic going to be this year?’ we said, ‘House… house…’ and came up with ‘This Old House.'”
Fennewald, with the help of other members of Community Betterment, has compiled a gallery of the oldest homes in Martinsburg, accompanied by brief histories of the families who once lived there.
“We have been collecting pictures for years,” says Fennewald.
There was never a dull moment. As picnickers reminisced and enjoyed the Knights of Columbus’ famous fish sandwiches, pub chips and pulled pork sandwiches, they cheered on the day’s events… if they weren’t already participating in them.
Friday’s events included cutest baby and lookalike contests, frog and turtle races, relay races and live music from Lost in Time.
After the parade on Saturday, the games began with pulling a pedal tractor, followed by children’s games including penny and gum guessing games, a hula hoop contest and water balloon throwing.
Afterwards, the Future Farmers of America helped soap up some pigs for a greasing contest. Children and adults of all ages tried their hand at catching pigs and piglets.
“It really puts everyone in a good mood,” says Deimeke
The smiles never seem to fade as the sun sets over this small town.
“Let’s keep it alive! Let’s keep it going,” Deimeke encourages. “As long as we can get people to come to our little town of Martinsburg, I think it’s a success.”
Baby competition winners:
GIRL
Birth – 6 months:
1. Rylee Arens (Brian and Ashley) – Martinsburg
2. Rhyler Sachs (Crystal and Randy) – Wellsville
3. Macy Boemer (Brittney and Chris) – Montgomery
7-12 months
1. Berka Mae Danter (Brittany and Biran) – Montgomery
2. Aiylah Hinton (Pete Hinton) – Montgomery
3. Nova Brower (Nichole Lovelace) – Mexico
13-18 months
1. Jahzara Hall (kalli Maggard) – Montgomery
2. Harper Cochran (Josh and Teegan) – Auxvasse
19-24 months
1. Remmington Beauchamp (Ashley Nelleson and Nat B) – Mexico
2. Hadlice Adams (Courtney and Devon) – Martinsburg
3, 4, 5 years Little Miss
Tessa Deimeke (Kieth and Jina) – Benton City
GUYS
Birth – 6 months:
1. Colson Larue (Nikki and Dustin) – Mexico
2. Otto Viola (Colton and Hannah) – New Florence
3. Riley Sachs (Chrystal and Randy) – Wellsville
7-12 months
Luca Graves (Haley and Gage) – Montgomery
Grahm Robinson (Michael and Ashton) – Wellsville
13-18 months
1. James Burne (Pam Burne) – Bridgeton
2. Garrett Boemer (Brittney and Chris) – Montgomery
3. Grady Lloyd (Dwight and Emmy) – O’Fallon
19-24 months
3, 4 and 5 years Little Mr
Aiden Robinson (Ashten and Michael) – Wellsville
Best in Show: Luca Graves (boy) Jahzara (girl)
Special performances and other winners
Ainsley Deimeke – winner of the frog race
Dallas Cochran – winner of the turtle race
Mona Charlton – Little Miss Audrain County
