Boats compete at Venetian Night

By Pat Hahn for the Daily Times
Monday, August 27, 2007 12:37 PM CDT

Sinissippi Water Ski Club presented its final show of the season as part of Venetian Night festivities in Hustisford. A six-person pyramid was one of the crowd-pleasers in “Ski Show Musical.” (PAT HAHN/Daily Times)

HUSTISFORD - A brightly colored and lighted boat featuring local thespians and music from four Broadway shows earned the Husty Players first place in Saturday's Venetian Night boat competition at Hustisford.

Entered by the Husty Players, a local theatrical group which operates as part of Hustisford Community Education, “Welcome to Broadway” featured a selection from a different Broadway favorite each time the boat circled the Riverside Park shoreline. Troupe members presented songs from “Lion King,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and “There's No Business Like Show Business,” with the boat's show bill changing each time the performer and song changed.

For its efforts, the group earned the $1,000 boat parade first prize. In addition, the entry won the $100 People's Choice award, new in this year's competition.

“An Old West Gambling Saloon” entered by Jeff and Cathy Hoeft and Sheryl and Jon Rafel received second place, $400, for its interpretation of a bar in the Wild, Wild West era.

The $300 third prize went to nationally recognized competitive archer Ruben Wichinski for his boat featuring archery. Fourth place, $200, went to Ann Pekrul with Robert Palmer and the Palmer Chicks, another musical interpretation.

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A fifth boat, titled “Unknown Boat,” also was part of the parade.

Parade entries were judged on originality, lighting and color, neatness, and effort. Boat prizes totaling $2,000 were donated by Rue Leitzke of Pivot Point.

Because of concern over high water levels and the proximity to the Hustisford dam, boats shortened their route during the boat parade to avoid the swift currents around the dam. Enthusiastic crowds packed the shoreline along Riverside Park for the boat parade, while others sought vantage points on the Highway R bridge or the street opposite Riverside Park.

Katie Krohn, a 2007 Hustisford High School graduate, was crowned 2007 Venetian Queen prior to the start of the boat parade. The daughter of Barbara and Howard Krohn, she earned the title by selling 1,758 Venetian Night tickets.

Krohn was crowned by 2006 queen Miranda Kuehl. In addition to her sash, crown, and floral bouquet, she received a portion of her ticket sales.

First runner-up was Michelle Mueller, daughter of Dean and Roxy Mueller. A senior at Hustisford High School, she sold 1,571 tickets. Genevieve Scharnell, daughter of Scott and Beth Scharnell, was second runner-up with 742 tickets.

Jeanne Malterer served as boat parade narrator, Ed Van Ravenstein was MC, and Degner Electric provided lighting and sound systems.

Winners of queen contest raffle prizes included Jon and Cheryl Rafel, $300; Pivot Point, $200; Mike Hiller, $100; Arline Roeseler, $50; Deb Stewart, $30; and Deanna Koch, $20.

A nautical entry titled “Sail Away to Venetian Night” earned top honors for Justin and Jason Voigt in kiddie parade competition Saturday morning. The duo received $25 for their efforts.

Second place, $20, went to Hollie and Erin Lenhardt, for “Security: Stopping Trouble in Its Tracks.” Hollie portrayed the “Enforcer,” while younger sibling Erin was the caged “Destroyer.”

Third place, $15, went to the Grudzinski family's “Future Falcons,” while sisters Talia and Tatum Kluewer received the $10 fourth place for their equestrian entry. Fifth place $5, went to sisters Lydia and Adeline Biehl for their Barbie vehicle.

More than 20 children participated in the kiddie parade, coordinated by Sinissippi Recreation Department.

Youths also competed in pedal tractor pull competition Saturday afternoon. Youths were divided into weight classes, with prizes awarded to the top “pullers” in each division.

In Class I, Elizabeth Jung placed first; Dylan Knock, second; and Justin Voigt, third. In Class II, Jayson Voigt placed first; Jeremy Nehls, second; and Tanner Mercer, third.

In Class III, Justin Nehls was first; Logan Manel, second; and Adam Shydee, third. In Class IV, Jacob Nehls was first and Tatum Kluewer, second.

The Sinissippi Water Ski Club presented "Ski Show Musical," the club's final show of the season, Saturday afternoon. Spectators lined the shoreline along Highway E to watch the show, while others watched from boats off-shore. Ski Club members performed pyramids, barefoot skiing, conventional and strap doubles, wake boarding, knee boarding, towers, ballet routines, and swivel skiing.

Although the weather had been stormy and rainy the entire week prior to Venetian Night, Mother Nature took a breather and smiled on the Hustisford Lions over the weekend, providing near ideal weather, with sunny skies and mild temperatures. A light mist during Friday night's 14th annual steak fry provided minimal inconvenience.

The Hustisford Lioness scheduled bingo on Saturday afternoon, Hustisford Booster Club offered an assortment of children's games, and Sinissippi 4-H Club assisted the Lions by manning the food stand, serving plenty of brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, steak sandwiches, and beverages to hungry customers all day long.

Cerfus Project entertained Venetian Night participants following the boat parade.

Venetian Night is an annual project of the Hustisford Lions. Proceeds from the event are used to fund local civic projects, scholarships, and youth activities, plus the Lions' focus on providing assistance to those with impaired sight, hearing, or other medical challenges.