Odessa, Washington. Population: 896. But give it a minute. It swells by the thousands every September for the Deutschesfest, which is what happens when a bunch of Volga Germans settle in Eastern Washington and decide to throw the best Oktoberfest this side of the Atlantic. And I mean the best—where else can you see a parade of modern farm equipment followed by tricycle races, eat your weight in strudel and sausage, and do the Chicken Dance in a Biergarten with people in lederhosen named things like Klaus and Ed?
Odessa was named after Odesa, Ukraine, and the Volga German influence is still strong in the food, culture, and ability to polka after three brats and a beer. There’s also a quilt display, art show, bed races, a Youth Garten (yes, spelled that way), and a food circus, which I can only assume is a place where carbs perform acrobatics.
This small town knows how to throw a big party. If you're ever in the area on the third weekend in September, bring an appetite and stretchy pants. Also, maybe earplugs, because the Oom Pas and Mas really go for it on the accordion.
After miles of empty farmland, Odessa felt like a surprise party I wasn’t invited to. Prost!
