2015’s Hot August Night in Jefferson blew away last year’s numbers in terms of vehicles and food vendors.

Greene County Chamber Tourism and Events Coordinator Angie Pedersen says one of the organizers, Chuck Wenthold, had the foresight to extend the area where the 450 cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors could park around the downtown square.

“As the pre-registrations were coming in online, Chuck, he had made the recommendation early on that this is different than last year, even though last year was big.  He said he could kind of just smell it coming and that’s when we requested the City that we (were) able to spread out those extra blocks and I’m really glad we did.”

The Chamber and the Jefferson Kiwanis Club teamed up to serve over 850 people hamburgers and pork loin sandwiches.  They had to buy even more meat to serve the large crowd.  Pedersen points out that not only did the food vendors do well, downtown retailers also had a great night.

“There were some retailers that even had bargain tables outside.  A great opportunity to promote your business with a huge event.  And that’s kind of what it is all about is to get lots of bodies downtown, that’s the Chamber’s involvement is to benefit our membership.”

She wants to thank all volunteers including Wenthold, Miranda Wahl, Le Ann Hostetler, the food vendors and the exhibitors for coming to last week’s event.