Events
BY ANDREW CREELMAN
Central Texas’ most popular 10-day celebration of German heritage and culture is right around the corner. On Nov. 7-16, Wurstfest will attract 240,000 peo- ple from across the country and around the globe. The festival—founded in 1961—not only showcases the area’s rich German history, but also focuses on charity and scholarship, Wurstfest President Keith Wersterfer said. Digging deeper Wurstfest has about 20 to 24 nonpro t organiza- tions attend the festival. “It’s incredible, the amount of support they receive just within 10 days,” Wersterfer said. A few of the nonpro ts attending Wurstfest this year include the: • New Braunfels Fire Fighters Association • Rotary Club of New Braunfels • Comal County Junior Livestock Show Association • New Braunfels Elks Lodge #2279 • New Braunfels Jaycees • Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation • New Braunfels Conservation Society Wurstfest also has its own scholarship fund, which is awarded to students in Comal County each year. “We sent $51,000 to 15 dierent high school seniors in four high schools this year,” Wersterfer said. The festival’s administration held a silent auction event earlier this year and raised $29,000 that was donated directly to the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative. The focus on education and youth is something that Wersterfer says is “an investment to the future of our community.” Wurstfest also features a large selection of food vendors, many of which are sponsored by the nonpro ts participating in the festival. This year, about 42 food vendors will be in attendance, with 19 of them being local nonpro ts selling food to bene t their organizations. “You’re going to experience a lot of authentic German food like potato pancakes and sausage on a stick,” Wersterfer said. What’s new This year, the festival will feature a new pavilion Celebrate German culture while supporting local nonpro ts
Wurstfest will begin with the annual “biting of the sausage” ceremony to kick o the festival on Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
PHOTOS COURTESY WURSTFEST
Enjoy the energy and skill of a variety of German bands, musicians and dancers at ve dierent venues.
Wurstfest awards scholarships to students in the community on an annual basis.
for live German music and food—called the Was- serplatz—which will replace a tent that is normally situated in front of Bar 5, near Landa Park Drive. Quote of note Wersterfer said the festival has over 300 volun- teers that contribute 3,000 hours of community service. “We all do it for the love of the association and the love of the community,” he said.
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COMAL RIVER
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Wurstfest Grounds, 178 Landa Park Drive New Braunfels www.wurstfest.com
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
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