Many attractions return at German Days in Chaffee

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Daniel Hanna and three of his friends followed a car show judge as he inspected their 2005 Dodge Magnum at Chaffee's annual German Days celebration. The car's doors, trunk and hood were popped, displaying two 12-inch speakers, five TVs, a PlayStation, a DVD player and a backup camera on the rearview mirror.

Against a background of American and foreign classic cars, many of them from the 1960s and '70s and equipped with only AM radios, the Dodge Magnum seemed out of place.

"We're hoping to be a little more unique," Hanna said as engines were revved on nearby cars. "We'll get a little better rating."

Newest addition

The car show is the newest addition to German Days, which saw many amusements return following their absence last year. More than 1,000 people attended, said Chris Knutson, chairman of the German Days Corp.

Four-year-old Paige Stevens and her older brother Trey, 8, try the Nickel Pitch on Saturday at Chaffee German Days. Nickel Pitch proceeds go to the Chaffee Fire Department. (Kit Doyle)

Among the returning amusements were the carnival rides and the softball games. Knutson said he was happy to see those back because they draw the crowds. Some teams that asked to compete in the eight-team softball tournament had to be turned down because too many were asking to play.

"They like the Chaffee style," Knutson said.

Last year the longtime organizer of carnival rides for German Days, Steve Davidson, died and the rides were absent from the festival. This year, a new business, Fun Time Shows of Doniphan, Mo., was hired.

"We thought we'd give it a whirl," said owner Clint Payne. He said he might do it again next year, if his schedule allows him.

Many attractions

A bridge connected the two sides of grounds where the two-day event was held. On one side were the carnival rides and the car show and on the other were the smells of fried chicken from the Elks Club booth and the sounds of horseshoes hitting metal pegs.

Mike Sadler, a five-year member of the Elks Club, said more than 750 pounds of chicken and 300 pounds of potatoes were to be cooked for German Days.

Knutson said Chaffee is known in Southeast Missouri for its chicken.

"It's a Chaffee thing," Knutson said. "In Leopold you get kettle beef and chicken and dumplings. In Chaffee, you get chicken."

Not everything back

As some tradition returned to German Days, a little from last year left. The Perkins Volunteer Fire Department was unable to deliver its vanilla ice cream. Gary Senciboy, who was working at the fire department's stand, said the ice cream maker broke after 50 years of use. It was unfortunate because they have always sold ice cream at Chaffee community events, he said.

The car show is a part of German Days that Knutson would like to see next year. The organizer of the show was Wayne Held, a Chaffee native who was excited to bring all the cars to his hometown.

But the excitement of what could be a growing tradition for German Days didn't come without a little disappointment for Hanna.

Around 4 p.m., judges started announcing winners to the car show, which had more than 100 entries. Hanna and friends didn't receive an award, or even place in the Top 50, where judges evaluated car cleanliness.

"I guess it wasn't our kind of car show," Hanna said. "I figured that we would have at least gotten in the Top 50. A lot of them [cars] being older threw it off a bit."