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February 14, 2008

Watonga festival still on schedule

By Cass Rains Staff Writer

Despite no definite word from the owner of Watonga Cheese Factory, the annual Watonga Cheese Festival still is a go for this fall.

“We are still planning on having a cheese festival,” said Kim Bridges, executive director of Watonga Chamber of Commerce. “I’m looking for it to be just as it’s always been.”

The festival, an economically vital event for the area, was canceled last October after the cheese factory suffered heavy damage in a storm in August.

Bridges is optimistic about this year’s festival.

“All of our old vendors have been contacting us,” she said, noting calls have been received from vendors since Christmas. “They all want to put us down as a stop.”

The future of Watonga Cheese Factory, though, still is uncertain nearly six months after the business’s building was crippled by the storm. Remnants of Tropical Storm Erin dumped massive amounts of rain and produced winds in excess of 80 mph Aug. 19, causing flooding and damage throughout Watonga, Kingfisher and Geary, as well as surrounding towns.

Watonga Mayor Dale Green said he has not heard from Casey Cowan, owner of Watonga Cheese Factory, on his plans about rebuilding.

“He hasn’t come forward and doesn’t want to talk to us,” Green said. He said no one within the city’s government has been in contact with Cowan.

“We’re still trying to find something out,” he said. “We’re hoping we might find someone who can start up the place.”

Green said offers to aid the business by the city did not receive a response from Cowan.

“We offered to tear down the old building and haul it off for him,” Green said. “It’s just a matter of wait and see.”

Calls to Watonga Cheese Factory were answered by a taped message, which says in part, “We are still under reconstruction at this time.”

Cowan did not return messages left Wednesday and Thursday seeking an interview.

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