Through the winding hills of Route N just beyond the cornfields, there is a sign.

City Limit Martinsburg Population: 304. 

Up ahead, on Jefferson Street, you see cars are already lined up and down the block. Parents, grandparents and all their neighbors are pushing strollers and holding the hands of their little ones as they flock to the white-roofed pavilion.

Everyone is heading to the community park where the 122nd annual Martinsburg Picnic is already underway.

This two-day event organized by Martinsburg Area Community Betterment has been a staple in this small town since 1903. 

 Molly Deimeke, 40,  a member of Martinsburg Area Community Betterment, remembers this picnic from her childhood, though it looked very different.

“It was really just running around the park with your friends and having fun.”

Now, Deimeke is in charge of organizing the picnic and has transformed it into a spectacle full of games, contests, live music and local culinary delights. 

The picnic is an opportunity to bring everyone together.

“You get people who never come to town, or maybe once in a while come to town, and they’ll come for the picnic.”

While the picnic currently serves as a family reunion for locals, their friend and families, Deimeke hopes to, one day,  turn it into a class reunion for everyone.

Each year there is a new picnic theme highlighting a piece of Martinsburg history. This year, the theme is: This Old House

“We had so many big, older homes that came down this year.” says Sue Fennewald of Martinsburg Area Community Betterment.

“When Molly called and said, ‘What’s the theme going to be this year food the picnic?’ We went, ‘house… house…’ and we came up with, “This Old House”.”

Fennewald, with the help of other members of Community Betterment, put together a gallery of the oldest homes in Martinsburg accompanied by brief histories of the families that once lived there.

“We’ve spent years collecting pictures.” says Fennewald.

There was never a dull moment. While picnic-goers reminisced and enjoyed the Knights of Columbus’ famous fish sandwiches, pub chips and pulled pork sandwiches, they were cheering on the days’ events… If they were not already participating, that is.

Friday’s events included cutest baby and look-alike contests, frog and turtle racing, relays and live music by Lost in Time.

After the parade Saturday, the games began with a pedal tractor pull followed by kids games that included penny and bubblegum guessing games, a hula-hoop contest, and a water balloon toss. 

Afterwards, the Future Farmers of America helped soap up some pigs for a greased pig contest. Kids and adults of all ages tried their hands at wrangling up pigs and piglets.

“It really brings a good humor out of everybody.” says Deimeke

The smiles never seem to fade as the sun sets on this little town.

“Let’s keep it alive! Let’s keep it going.” Deimeke encourages. “As long as we can keep people coming to our tiny town of Martinsburg, I think it’s a success.”

Baby competition winners:

GIRLS

Birth - 6 MO: 

1st Rylee Arens (Brian and Ashley) - Martinsburg

2nd Rhyler Sachs (Crystal and Randy) - Wellsville

3rd Macy Boemer (Brittney and Chris) - Montgomery

7-12 MO

1st Berka Mae Danter (Brittany and Biran) - Montgomery

2nd Aiylah Hinton (Pete Hinton) - Montgomery

3rd Nova Brower (Nichole Lovelace) - Mexico

13-18 MO

1st Jahzara Hall (kalli Maggard) - Montgomery

2nd Harper Cochran (Josh and Teegan) - Auxvasse

19-24 MO

1st Remmington Beauchamp (Ashley Nelleson and Nat B) - Mexico

2nd Hadlice Adams (Coourtney and Devon) - Martinsburg

3, 4, 5 yr Little Miss

Tessa Deimeke (Kieth and Jina) - Benton City

BOYS

Birth - 6 MO: 

1st Colson Larue (Nikki and Dustin) - Mexico

2nd Otto Viola (Colton and Hannah) - New Florence

3rd Riley Sachs (chrystal and Randy) - Wellsville

7-12 MO

Luca Graves (Haley and Gage) - Montgomery

Grahm Robinson (Michael and Ashton) - Wellsville

13-18 MO

1st James Burne (Pam Burne) - Bridgeton

2nd Garrett Boemer (Brittney and Chris) - Montgomery

3rd Grady Lloyd (Dwight and Emmy) - O’Fallon

19-24 MO

3, 4 and 5 yr Little Mr

Aiden Robinson (Ashten and Michael) - Wellsville

Best in Show: Luca Graves (Boy) Jahzara (girl)

Special Appearances and Other Winners

Ainsley Deimeke - Frog Race Winner

Dallas Cochran - Turtle Race Winner

Mona Charlton - Little Miss Audrain County