“In 1971 a group of concerned citizens got together and organized the first Friedsburg Days which have become an annual event. They had no funds and it was a do or die project. It was a great success and they have not only been able to make improvements in the community but also donate to many worthy charities.

More than 6000 persons attended the Friday and Saturday celebrations and the large crowds overwhelmed the committee in charge. It is a fact that 2000 appetites consumed 800 pounds of sausage, 250 pounds of spare ribs and 800 pounds of sauerkraut. Saturday’s parade was one of the best ever witnessed in Dashwood. Merner’s Meat Market took the prize for the best overall entry; George Tieman, the best decorated car with his poultry exhibition; best family prize, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Restemayer; while the Jake Schroeder family in a carriage was named the best old time entry.

Dashwood Women’s Institute best depicted Friedsburg Days and Peter Martene’s entry was the best under 16 years of age. Elizabeth Datars had the best decorated bicycle while Tim Bender was the youngest in the parade. The well publicized sauerkraut eating contest Saturday evening drew a large crowd that failed to give the contestants much room to operate. The big eating test pitted the Dashwood Village Trustees against a similar group of officials from Zurich. The Dashwood team was led to victory by the enormous appetite of their captain Cliff “Big Kraut” Salmon [sic]. He got rid of three plates of sauerkraut in less than a minute. His Zurich opponents questioned quite vehemently Salmon’s method of disposing of his food.

(left) Exeter Times Advocate photo.

The Zurich aggregation came very close to victory as Bürgermeister Gordon Hess found a fork was too slow and used his hands. Dashwood was represented by Cliff Salmon, Irvin Rader and Harold Schroeder while Zurich’s hopes rode on the shoulders or stomachs of Gordon Hess, George Haggitt and Glen Thiel.

The program consisted of ball games, horseshoe pitching and tug of war won by the Shipka Bulldogs as they out pulled teams made up of the Federation of Agriculture and National Farmer’s Union. Street dancing was well patronized both nights with music supplied by a Polish orchestra Friday night and Desjardine’s [orchestra] Saturday. Earl and Martha Heywood provided entertainment in the Community Hall Friday evening.

Close to 100 Dashwood and area residents helped in organization and carrying out the many duties involved. Ron Merner was overall Chairman with Dianne Becker, Secretary and Bill Chandler, Treasurer. The following were in charge of the various committees: sports, Glenn Webb; entertainment, Don Bender and Paul Watson; publicity and parade, Gerald Martene and Ruth Anne Merner; bar, Hubert Miller; food, Ron Merner and Gerald Martene. Now in 1985, we hope it will be a tradition for many years to come.”

extracted from “Friedsburg-Dashwood 1860-1985” by Mary (Patterson) Rader, 1985; pgs. 51-52, ISBN 0-9692115-0-3