Wurstfest Time
Almost anyone who attended college in Texas, knows that one of the first Thursday nights in November is reserved for a quick trip to the New Braunfels Wurstfest and the "Ten Day Salute to the Sausage". As usual, I was a bit late to the party, didn't make until 1972. In the afternoon my husband and I rented a paddle boat in the park, ate sausage, drank beer, listened to Myron Floren, danced a few polkas then OomPah'd our way back to the hotel. As a native Texan I will readily admit that I am of German heritage, but mine is of the Pennsylvania variety. However, the sausage, potato pancakes and beer taste pretty much the same.
New Braunfels is well known for it's German Heritage but it wasn't until 1961 that the annual Fall festival was instigated by the City Meat Inspector/Veterinarian, Ed Grist and the Chamber of Commerce. It has been rolling merrily along ever since. Originally, a one day affair, it soon expanded to two days then in 1963 became a week long festival. By 1967, Wurstfest had permanent facilities in Landa Park and a 10 day timetable. Attendance had risen from 2,000 to 40,000 people. Featured food varies from the original Sausage on a Stick, Kartoffel Puffers (potato pancakes) to more exotic fare such as SauerKraut Pizza.
Today, attendance pushes 150,000, the bands play every night, but the sausage is still served hot on a stick with pitchers of cold beer and it's a great way to start off the Fall season in Texas. Families attend in droves, charitable food booths abound, the atmosphere is festive, the Oma's and Opa's are dressed in Dirndles and Liderhosen. Since Schlitterbahn is closed and it's usually too cold to TOOB either the Comal or the Guadalupe Rivers, you might want to drive around to see some of the other events that are planned to capture the your attention before you hit "Das Grosse Zelt" or the "Wurst Halle". At the New Braunfels Art League Gallery, a special exihibit named "Artoberfest" is available for viewing and or purchase from 10 AM to 5 PM daily. The McKenna Children's Museum has Dino Vivo for the duration, the KC Hall, across from Gate #1 hosts Arts & Crafts exhibits. There is truly something for everyone.
Oh, by the way, Thursday night is STILL "College Night" and if it's any indicator, most of the natives stay home then to catch their breath for the second weekend of revelry. Should you decide, like my husband and I did 35 years ago, that New Braunfels was a good place to live, give me a call. It took us over 25 years to get move here, but we wouldn't live anywhere else, plus now I can help you find a place to live, too!
Whoops! forgot to post the dates this year! Friday November 2, Music begins at 4 PM through Sunday November 11. (Admission is free after 3PM 11/11 only!) OmmmPaah!