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At the MIA dinner in the Ag Building on Saturday. On January 6, Cheryl Heiser and Riley Reinth were presented with a plaque containing the names of all past winners of the Mascoutah Homecoming Princess Contest organized by MIA President Steve Heiser.
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Left, Linda Wombach of Citizen Bank receives the Travel Award for Best Homecoming Trip, presented to her by Steve Heiser, center, and Cody Hawkins, right.
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Food includes turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, barbecue ribs, corn, and many other options.
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The MIA dinner filled the Ag Building with people hungry and excited about the meal served to them. MIA congratulated all participants for a wonderful 2023 Homecoming event.
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Mascoutah Homecoming Princess Riley Renth pulled table numbers out of a bucket, deciding the order in which people would get their meals.
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The band received several requests for dinner.
Written by Zachary Daum
mascherald@heraldpubs.com
The Mascoutah Improvement Association (MIA) held its highly anticipated annual Homecoming Dinner on Saturday, January 6. The event, which began at 6:00 p.m., attracted a large crowd of attendees, including MIA members and their dedicated supporters. The night was filled with laughter, camaraderie and a lively atmosphere thanks to a live band.
Before the delicious dinner was served, people gathered and mingled happily, setting the stage for a night of celebration. Riley Renth, Mascoutah's homecoming princess, added an element of anticipation when she drew numbers to determine the order in which tables would receive their food.
Former Mascouta Mayor Jerry Dougherty began the evening with a heartfelt prayer, emphasizing unity against hate and expressing gratitude for the past successes of the Mascoutah Improvement Association.
As dinner progressed, MIA President Steve Heiser took to the stage, addressing the association with warmth and enthusiasm. Heiser spoke to the association, first awarding the Traveling Trophy, which each year is chosen by an anonymous judge for their favorite Homecoming Parade float, to Citizens Bank.
A notable announcement followed, in which Heiser revealed plans to install a plaque in the train depot, showcasing the annual winners of the Little Miss Princess contest. Cheryl Heiser, who oversees the contest, shared the success of ticket sales. “My girls sold 14,063 tickets this year, while Riley sold 5,355 tickets alone. She's done a great job representing us. She's come a long way since I first met her. She used to be shy but now she's outgoing.”
Expressing his hopeful expectations, Heizer noted the lack of candidates competing for the title of Queen in recent years, and expressed his desire to see this tradition renewed in the future.
Heiser then introduced MIA Treasurer and Mascoutah Mayor Pat McMahon to speak. “I've been tracking the numbers and just to throw some numbers out, the total we made was about $320,000, and that's thanks to all of you. On beer sales $121,900 and some bucks. On our fish sandwiches $33,591. That's 8,398 sandwiches. I'm at Noon Lions and Friday night (for Homecoming) we sold 2,082 sandwiches, so that's 5 sandwiches a minute. Overall we had a very good year. We made about $35,000 just from the carnies alone. They say we're the most profitable event And bigger every year. They've set records the last two years here. I want to express my appreciation for everything you guys do, because they wouldn't exist without you.
Donald Karpel, Director of Tractor Pull Operations, addressed the challenges faced during the Homecoming event, particularly dealing with the unprecedented rainfall. Despite the setbacks, Karbel expressed his gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who tirelessly contributed to the success of the tractor pulls. Recognizing the importance of new and young volunteers, he emphasized their crucial role in ensuring the continuity and vitality of the Homecoming tradition.
Karpel expressed his appreciation to the event’s sponsors, acknowledging their vital role in making the tractors a reality each year.
In his closing remarks, Heiser thanked everyone in attendance, expressing his hope that they enjoyed the delicious food and live music that characterized the evening.
