What Makes West Washington County So Special? by Norah Hurst

So, you want to find a place to live? Well, why not West Washington County? West Washington County is a wonderful county with a wonderful community! How do I know? Well, I live there! Three of my favorite things in this county are Okawville’s Wheat Festival, containing many activities from the parade to the many rides, Okawville Grade School and High School’s band and choir, and Okawville’s wonderful school system.

During the 2019 Wheat Festival (also known as the Wheat Fest), I got to reunite with one of my dearest friends who had switched to a different school recently. It was so fun getting to spend time with her and my other friends there. One of the most well-known events of the Wheat Feast is its extraordinary parade, which I get to be a part of! The parade features many floats, most passing out free candy and merchandise (like cup holders or mini frisbees) for the people sitting in chairs on the side of the road. There are a few bands from the county or near the county, marching in the parade, playing upbeat marching songs for the excited people on the sidelines. The high school bands march on their own, meanwhile the grade school bands sit on floats as they play. Another wonderful part, and most of the children’s favorite part, is the Wheat Fest rides! The fast-paced rides are exhilarating and exciting, like the Loop-O-Plane (more commonly known as the Hammerhead), spinning the riders around, vertically in a plane shaped vehicle attached to a tall, metal pole. Another favorite ride is the Scat 2, in which the riders stand, strapped against padding as the platform spins around at lightning speed, pulling the rider’s skin outwards. If the adrenaline rush of Loop-O-Plane and Scat 2 don’t sound very appealing, then you can try a calmer ride like the iconic Ferris wheel, which can fit, at maximum, three 7th or 8th graders (I know from experience). You could also check out the swings, which, from what I know, have no official name. The swings are a middle ground of drinking 2,000 bottles of Powerade and just drinking a glass of milk. On the swings, the rider sits down, and gets a decent look of the surrounding scenery as the many swings spin around on metal arms reaching out from the main body. Oh, and here’s a warning for the swings, trying to touch another rider is not allowed, and the owner will tell you to stop. 

Another wonderful activity in Washington County is Okawville’s school music program, containing a Band and Choir. The grade school, junior high, and high school band all meet in Reed Recker’s band room at a designated time. You can only join the band once you’ve reached 4th grade. The band contains flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion, and much more! The band and choir also participate in events like the band playing at our school’s basketball games, both playing and singing at the Christmas and spring concerts, and even the choir singing at a Saint Louis Cardinals’ game! In grade school, the choir meets after school, but once you reach junior high (7th grade), choir meets on Tuesday and Thursday during school, with band meeting at the same time, but on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

Last, but definitely not least, West Washington County’s amazing schools! I only know much about one of West Washington County’s schools, that being the Okawville Grade School and Okawville Junior/Senior High School, the school which I go to. The Okawville schools share a single building, the two sides of the school separated by the school’s cafeteria which is shared by the students of all grades, eating lunch at different times. The teachers in the schools are absolutely amazing, and the school, for the most part, is bullying free. 

Those, my friends, are some of the reasons why West Washington County is the best pick for a place to live! 1: Okawville holds an annual Wheat Festival, featuring rides for people of all ages! 2: Okawville has an amazing music program for its school, featuring events for both its band and choir. 3: Okawville’s school system is absolutely astonishing, and its teachers and students are amazing! I hope to see you in our wonderful county!