Politics at the Fall Festival
by Johnny Kincaid
It’s a pretty safe bet that nobody attends the Westside Nut Club Fall Festival intending to determine who to vote for, but on the west end of Franklin Street, you’ll find some people who want to secure your vote. The festival crowds create the perfect atmosphere for politics.
First, let’s define what we mean by the word politics. It comes from the Greek root poli, meaning many, and tics, meaning blood-sucking creatures.
On the last block of Franklin Street (on the St. Joseph end), the Vanderburgh Young Democrats at booth 82 are selling Gyros and passing out campaign materials. Candidates are spared from cooking and food prep and instead, stand outside to shake hands and kiss babies.
County Commission candidate Hope Fussner is spending a lot of time on the street, and over the next couple of days, you’ll see plenty of other Democrats at the Festival. Those with contested races will be most likely to be there. County Council candidates Bob Deig, Dustin Stephens, and Karese Johnson are looking for votes along with Coroner candidate Keith Mosby and Recorder candidate Gina Robinson Ungar.
A block away, on the other side of the street is booth 49, home to the Vanderburgh Republican Party. The signature item for the GOP is the ‘Merica, a red, white, and blue shaved ice with a little orange cream on top to symbolize Donald Trump’s hair.
The candidates working the street include County Council candidates Jill Hahn, Joe Kiefer II, and Ed Bassemeier. GOP coroner candidate Bryan Underwood, recorder candidate Russ Lloyd, and county commission candidate Amy Canterbury will likely be trying to win friends and influence voters. Almost anytime that you drop by you’ll also get a chance to meet uncontested county clerk candidate Dottie Thomas.
Put on your favorite candidate’s shirt, hat or sticker and parade around Franklin Street to help get your favorite elected. Just keep from dripping mustard on the candidate’s name.
