Monica Leo lives for mid-September. That’s because the director of the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre not only gets a prime opportunity to show her puppet talents, but gets an opportunity to host puppeteers from throughout the Midwest at the now 26th annual West Liberty Children’s Festival.
Started as the brainstorm of Leo and friend Mallory Smith, the festival, to be held this weekend, has grown to a major community event spearheaded by Leo and festival director Stephanie Vallez and a committee of community leaders.
Although the main event is Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in downtown West Liberty, the weekend kicks off with a “Puppet Slam” on Friday evening at Ron De Voo Park in downtown West Liberty on Third Street at 7:30 p.m.
Leo describes the slam as a PG-13 rated event that gives visiting and local puppeteers an opportunity to provide short skits for mature adults and older teenagers that may be political, comical or, “you never know what’s going to happen.”
Leo started the Eulenspiegel Theatre as a touring puppet troupe in 1974, 49 years ago, performing with Teri Jean Breitbach in the early years. She said West Liberty Rotarian leaders Ken Brooks and Cliff McFerren would play a dual role as master of ceremonies for the event.
On Saturday, the day includes five live puppet shows at the Ron De Voo Park stage beginning at 10:15 a.m. with the “Eulenspiegel Uncle Rabbit Adventures,” followed at 11 a.m. with the “Blaque Berry Puppets Swan Song.”
The afternoon performances begin at noon with Fever River Puppets presentation of “Ivanuschka & The Magic Horse before the Corcoran Puppets take the stage at 1 p.m. with “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” followed by the final performance of the day at 2 p.m., Mathew Owens’ “Animal Circus.”
The puppet shows may highlight the day of activities, but there are plenty of other free things to do for youngsters, from taking in ongoing performances by strolling performers, musicians and puppeteers, to dancers, balloon creature creators, food, refreshments and more. There will also be lots of crafts, opportunities to paint, and other activities, sponsored by various businesses and organizations.
Leo said the entire event is run by the local puppet theatre, although she says there are a lot of people who think it’s a city-run event. “The city blocks off the streets (including a block of Calhoun Street in front of the puppet theatre) for us and provides porta-potties. We do everything else.”
That includes raising their own money for the event, spearheaded by community leader Bill Koellner, who said donations were up substantially this year and had support from lots of local businesses as well as many individuals.
Among supporters are the Aquarius Club, Bill Tharp, the Brooke family, Cardinal Sign & Graphics, Sara Sedlacek – Edward Jones, Gretchen Nollman, Henderson-Barker Funeral Home, First Church United, Hills Bank and the Joe Ryan Trust. Also donating were Jones Trucking, Mike and Gwen Kessler of Kessler Electric, Liberty Communications, Rotary Club of West Liberty, Bill and Jan Koellner, Simpson Memorial Home, West Liberty State Bank, Wuestenberg Insurance Agency, Yolanda’s Salon and the West Liberty Lions Club.
Leo says there are no other festivals of this nature in the area and says the event keep growing every year, drawing people from all over eastern Iowa. “I’m excited to be hosting it again,” says Leo, who can’t believe it’s been continuous for 26 years, including through the COVID 19 pandemic.
The day ends with the West Liberty Latino Festival, which begins at 3 p.m. with live Latino music going into the evening hours, along with Latino food specialties and various activities for the youngsters. A stage will be set up on the east side of the downtown area on Third Street as the center-point for the event, which is spearheaded by Francisco Martinez.