Keota Celebrates 150 Years

KEOTA – The people of Keota celebrated the city’s 150th birthday with a massive, four day Sesquicentennial celebration. The festivities kicked off Thursday evening, with a pie contest. 30 pies were entered and judged before being auctioned off. Winning pies include Bethany Hansen’s open face peach pie (Mayor’s Choice), Mary Jo Larsen’s chocolate bourbon pecan pie (Single Crust category), Linda Greiner’s gooseberry pie (Double Crust category), and Mia Conrad’s pecan pie (Kids category). Larsen’s pie sold for $290 at the auction, more than any other pie. Following the pie auction was a pie throwing event, where people bid on the right to throw a pie in the face of locals. Robin Hansen paid the most, giving $370 to hit her husband Craig in the face with a pie. Thousands of dollars were raised for the museum by these auctions.

The Friday festivities began with a Draft Horse Obstacle Course, in memory of John Flynn. The celebration continued with a horseshoe tournament, a kids pedal pull, a tweens tailgate accompanied by a performance by the band the Do’s and Don’ts, a kids parade, and a BBQ cook-off. Brothers Sam and Owen Menke of Harper were the ribs champions. Bob, Brian and Jack Eakins and Carsten Calderwood of Traer won in the pork loin category. Jason and Cherlynn Waite of Oskaloosa and Carson McDonald of Keota won in the chicken category. The day concluded with a street dance.

Saturday began with a fun run, followed by a parade down Broadway. The day was filled with activities, including a “Rent An Eagle” auction, a bean bag tournament, a cow chip toss, axe throwing, a bear garden, a kids foam party, a water balloon slingshot, and a fireworks show. The bands Brass Pear, Aces & Eights, and The Boys all held concerts.

A lawn decorating contest was held during the fun days. Winners include Mike and Nancy Detweiler (Patriotic Theme and Grand Prize), ​​Jane Westendorf (Keota Pride), Steve and Teri Hegewald (Best Theme with "Frogmania”), Mary Pat Redlinger (Most Colorful), Jeff and Carol Bermel (Best Manicured), and Barb Anderegg (Judges' Choice with Country Garden). The festivities concluded on Sunday morning, with a fundraiser breakfast for the new pool hosted by the Knights of Columbus, a tractor show, and a community church service.