News

Neewollah News and Press Releases

Neewollah News will include a variety of news releases related to Neewollah. News items are listed in newest to oldest order (top to bottom). Please check back often for updated news.

Generalissimo Announces Fun Run/Walk Co-Chairs

Neewollah Generalissimo Mindy Blackard Announces Neewollah Fun Run/Walk Co-Chairs

This year’s Neewollah Fun Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, October 18th. Fun Run/Walk will begin at approximately 10:00am, following the 5k/10k.

Independence students in grades K-8 participating in the Fun Run/Walk will receive a free t-shirt if they are one of the first 200 students to check-in and have completed the form that will be distributed by schools and returned to their Physical Education teacher. The Fun Run/Walk is open to parents, staff, teachers, and any student not in grades K-8.

Co-Chairs for this year’s Fun Run/Walk are Michael Rose and Tammy Roth. Michael has called Independence his home for nearly 30 years. He and his wife, Deatrea have three daughters, Courtlynn, Michaela and Lorraine and are all active Neewollah participants and volunteers and have been for many years. Michael has served on the Neewollah Board for 9 years. His Neewollah involvement includes chairing the Security Committee and Stage Escorts, and being part of the Grand Parade Committee, Sanitation Committee. Michael has worked in education for over 30 years, spending the last 3 years as a Student Support Coordinator for Sparkwheel, a non-profit organization that works alongside school districts to prevent barriers and help support students’ academic and non-academic needs. He serves as the Assistant Football Coach at Independence High School and Head Girls Basketball Coach at Independence Middle School and also pastors Berean Christian Mission Center.

Tammy Roth is a long-time resident of Independence. She and her husband, Dan, have two children, Kenny and Karma, and she attends Tyro Christian Church. Tammy retired from teaching in 2023, but returned to the classroom last fall part time. She has a passion for running. Tammy started a club for kindergarten through sixth graders called Run4Fun that’s held after school. She participates in 5k, 10k, and half marathon races throughout the year. As a certified CPR Instructor, she founded Indy Saves, providing CPR Instruction to groups and individuals. Tammy’s Neewollah involvement includes painting musical sets, she actually met her husband while painting sets for Hello Dolly in 2000, serving as a co-chair for Stage Escorts, and this is her third year co-chairing the Fun Run/Walk.

For more information about the 5k/10k race and Fun Run, please visit

www.neewollah.com.

Neewollah Generalissimo Announces Doo Dah Parade

Neewollah Generalissimo Announces 2025 Doo Dah Parade Chairs

Kicking off the Neewollah parade schedule on October 23rd, is the always

entertaining, adults only DooDah Parade. This year’s DooDah Parade is being

organized by Jamie and Cally Reister.

Jamie was born in Coffeyville but has called Independence home for the past

22 years. He is a local Realtor® with L2 Realty, Inc. and also a salesman for Sale

Bros. Seed in Cherryvale. Jamie enjoys all things community and

family—especially making sure the chairs are set early so Cally and the kids have

the perfect spot for watching the parades!

Cally was born and raised in Independence and is proud to now raise her family

in the same community she’s always called home. She and her husband Jamie

are the proud parents of BaiLeigh (24), Emmi (20), Mireya (16), Joy (14), Burks (6),

and Riley (3). After teaching for 10 years for USD 446, Cally transitioned into real

estate and now works as a local Realtor® with L2 Realty, Inc. Her favorite

Neewollah activity is watching the Grand Parade!

The 2025 Neewollah Festival begins with the first performance of Annie on Friday,

October 17th with activities running through Saturday, October 25th. For more

information about Neewollah events, visit Neewollah’s Facebook page or

Neewollah.com.