GLUCKSTADT – The 29th annual GermanFest is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, located off Interstate 55 north of Madison. Admission and parking are free.
The Gluckstadt community was founded in 1905 by a group of German families. Many of their descendants still live in the area and play an active role in putting on this festival, best known for its delicious German food and authentic German Folk music provided by the bands, Die Mitternaechters and MS Schwingen. Die Mitternaechters has entertained at the GermanFest since the first festival 29 years ago.
The hottest seller is always the sauerkraut. Parishioners make hundreds of quarts of the cabbage delicacy using a recipe handed down through generations of German descendants living in Gluckstadt.
Sizzling shish kabobs, bratwurst slathered in sauerkraut, and authentic German desserts, pies, and other home-made favorites will be served. The menu also includes giant fresh oven-baked pretzels, hot dogs, and rippchenkraut (pork chops smothered in homemade sauerkraut). Dark and light beer will be on tap, along with Pepsi products and bottled water. Again this year there will be a German wine tasting booth.
Advance meal tickets are $6, $7 at the door, and are available from parishioners Ticket information is also available by calling the parish office, 601-856-2054.
The ever-so-popular hamster pool ball, as well as the rock-wall, and an assortment of children’s games will provide hours of entertainment for all. The Country Store will be in business with an assortment of commemorative German items, T-shirts, homemade breads, authentic German desserts, homemade jellies, spreads, and canned goods.
Gifted parishioners have also used their creative energies to produce fun crafted items. Once again, our parish ladies will be selling the cookbook entitled, “Happy Village, Our Faith-Our Future,” which includes not only authentic German recipes served at the festival but parish favorites.
Festival goers may wish to bring a lawn chair since there usually aren’t enough hay bales to go around!