It almost didn't happen, but in the end Annette Koelsch, Kelso-Longview church member, rounded up a crew of more than 75 people to run a vege-burger booth at the annual Go Fourth July 4th celebration in Longview for the 17th year in a row. This four-day event draws more than 50,000 people, including a long line of church members and many community members. Often they ask for recipes for vege-burgers and haystacks.
Betty Coleman, head of the local Community Service Center, has served at the booth every year since it opened. She loves participating in the event because the proceeds go to buy school clothes for needy community families.
Koelsch had decided not to operate the booth this year because the Fourth was on a Friday night. However, with the encouragement of many church members, she contacted the Go Fourth Committee. Amazingly, the committee had held the spot, far beyond the application deadline, hoping she would change her mind. They even gave the team special permission to close early Friday evening and to tear down on Sunday, as opposed to the other booths, which were required to stay open late and tear down on Sabbath.
Betty Coleman, Kelso-Longview church member has served at the booth every year since it opened.
Nolan Bumgarner helps at the food booth.
The Kelso-Longview vege-burger stand has been a mainstay at the area's July 4th celebration for the past 17 years.
