Get to Know Wash MO - Queen Style!

Last week, our queen contestants experienced a day full of fun and learning in downtown Washington! The annual “day in Washington,” began at the Historical Society, where we learned all about the town’s rich history. The queens and I were greeted by Katie Dieckhaus, Executive Director of the Washington Historical Society, who was so kind to give us a tour of the building. She also shared her knowledge of the town, explaining how the city came to be. As the tour moved along, Katie spotlighted different displays and shared some fun facts with us. Since this blog is all about taking you along with me for the full queen experience, let me share a bit of what we learned!
 
Did you know…

• In 1854, John B. Busch, an older brother of the famous Adolphus Busch, established a brewery in Washington, bottling the first Busch Beer.
• Washington, Missouri is the reigning corn cob pipe capital of the WORLD 153 years and counting.
• Franz Schwarzer, Missouri’s zither king, started his famous zither production in 1867 when   he first came to Washington.
• Some of the earliest settlers in the Washington area were followers of Daniel Boone, who blazed a trail from the hills of Kentucky to the wilderness of east-central Missouri.
• Many of Washington's historic structures remain today, proudly standing as reminders of times past.

​
The queens and I had the best time soaking up everything Katie shared with us. Without a doubt, her passion for her job and love of the community of Washington made her the perfect guide for today's tour! After answering all the girls’ questions, she allowed time for everyone to leisurely browse the museum before we headed off to the next destination. If you ever get the chance to check out the Washington Historical Society Museum, take it! They had some of the neatest displays, books, and information regarding the town’s history. It was the perfect way to kick off our day in Washington.
 
Up next on our agenda was a combination of cookie decorating and selfie scavenger hunting! The queens split themselves into two groups for this, so that while one of the groups was cookie decorating at the Chamber office, the others could hit the town for the scavenger hunt. I hung back with the first group of cookie decorators and watched as they were given a lesson on how to ice the perfect cookie by SaraKay Hannel of Fairytale Cookie Co. The girls were given two different bags of icing and two plain round cookies to make their creation, which SaraKay told them was going to be a smiley face! :)
 
“I believe that a smile is the best accessory that you can wear,” SaraKay told the girls. “Especially as you walk across the stage during the contest!”
 
Keeping this advice in mind as they worked with their materials, the contestants produced some creative cookie creations! After their delicious masterpieces were done, it was time for the groups to swap places. Thanking SaraKay for her time and awesome tutorial, the queens grabbed their scavenger hunt lists and hit the town! On the list were riddles and hints that intended to lead the queens to different landmarks and businesses in the downtown Washington area. Each team would have to find the places they believed that the clues were supposed to take them and capture a group selfie. For example, one of the riddles read, “Your grandma collects mugs from places she visits. Find a shop that sells mugs that say Washington, MO on them,” which led the groups to I.B. Nuts & Fruit Too. With thirteen total riddles to complete, the girls had an absolute blast, as you can see from some of their photos!

The eventful, educational day in Washington concluded and the contestants met back in the Chamber building for a Q&A session regarding the Contest. With the fair creeping closer, the enthusiasm in the air is REAL! Join us later this week for day of “Professional Development” number two, our last event before stage rehearsals and fair fun.
 
Until next time,
​
Emma