BLOGS
MY BLOGS
Wurstfest is HERE! Here are the origins of Wurstfest!
Wurstfest is HERE! Here are the origins of Wurstfest!
Wurstfest is HERE! Wurstfest, a popular German-themed festival held annually in New Braunfels, Texas, has a rich history dating back to 1961. Here's an overview of its origins and development: Origins - Wurstfest was conceived in 1961 by Ed A. Grist, a local veterinarian and city meat inspector.- The initial idea was to create a one-day festival celebrating New Braunfels' unique heritage and delicious sausages.- The first event, called the "Sausage Festival," drew a crowd of 2,000 visitors and attracted widespread publicity, including feature stories in newspapers in Canada, Germany, and major U.S. cities. Early Growth - By 1963, just two years after its inception, the festival had expanded to a full "Wurst Week" with events scheduled every night.- In 1964, attendance tripled to 30,000 visitors, who consumed 5,000 pounds of sausage.- The festival officially adopted the name "Wurstfest" in the late 1960s. Expansion and Relocation - In 1967, Wurstfest moved to its current location, the Wursthalle in Landa Park.- By 1968, the festival had expanded to a ten-day event and began featuring big-name entertainers, starting with Myron Floren of the Lawrence Welk TV show.- In 1969, attendance reached a record 75,000 visitors, with 48 food booths offering a variety of sausage-based dishes. Continued Growth - Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Wurstfest continued to expand, adding facilities like the Biergarten, security facilities, and restrooms.- The festival grounds tripled in size with land acquisitions in the late 1970s.- By 2022, Wurstfest had grown to attract over 200,000 visitors annually, establishing itself as one of the top festivals in the country. Cultural Significance - Wurstfest celebrates the German heritage of New Braunfels and the surrounding Texas Hill Country.- The festival not only showcases local sausage makers but also incorporates elements of German culture, including traditional music, dance, and attire.- Wurstfest has become an important economic driver for New Braunfels, contributing significantly to local tourism. Throughout its history, Wurstfest has maintained its core identity as a celebration of German-Texan heritage and sausage-making traditions, while continually evolving and expanding to become one of the largest German-American festivals in the United States. Who's ready to have some German fun in the Texas Hill Country? I know I am!
MORE
Tips to improve your credit score to buy a home
Tips to improve your credit score to buy a home
Purchasing a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make, and having a good credit score can make this process smoother and more affordable. A higher credit score not only increases your chances of mortgage approval but also helps you secure better interest rates, ultimately saving you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Here are some essential tips to improve your credit score and enhance your home-buying prospects.### Control Your SpendingOne of the foundational steps to improving your credit score is managing your spending habits. Excessive spending can quickly lead to high levels of debt, which negatively impacts your credit score. Create a budget that outlines your income and expenses, and stick to it religiously. Avoid unnecessary purchases and focus on needs rather than wants. By controlling your spending, you’ll have more money available to pay down existing debts, thereby improving your credit utilization ratio—a critical factor in determining your credit score.### Keep Credit Card Balances Under 10%Credit utilization refers to the percentage of your available credit that you're using at any given time. Financial experts recommend keeping your credit card balances under 30% of their limits, but if you aim for an even lower threshold—such as under 10%—you’ll see more significant improvements in your credit score. For instance, if you have a total credit limit of $10,000, try to keep your balances below $1,000. High balances relative to your credit limit can signal to lenders that you’re over-reliant on credit, making you a riskier borrower.### Make Payments on TimeTimely payments are crucial for maintaining and improving your credit score. Payment history makes up about 35% of your FICO score, so even one missed payment can significantly impact it. To ensure you never miss a payment, set up automatic payments or reminders through your bank or financial apps. If you're struggling to make payments on time due to financial hardship, contact your creditors immediately to discuss alternative payment arrangements. Consistently making payments on time demonstrates reliability and significantly boosts your creditworthiness.### Monitor Your Credit ReportRegularly monitoring your credit report allows you to catch errors or signs of fraudulent activity that could be dragging down your score. You’re entitled to one free report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—through AnnualCreditReport.com. Review these reports carefully and dispute any inaccuracies promptly.### Diversify Your Credit MixLenders like to see that you can handle different types of credit responsibly. Having a mix of installment loans (like car loans or student loans) and revolving credit (like credit cards) can positively impact your score. However, don’t open new accounts just for the sake of diversifying; only take on new debt if it makes financial sense for you.### Limit Hard InquiriesEach time you apply for new credit, a hard inquiry appears on your report, which can temporarily lower your score by a few points. Multiple hard inquiries within a short period can be particularly damaging if you're planning to apply for a mortgage soon. Be selective about when and where you apply for new lines of credit.Improving your credit score takes time and disciplined financial habits, but the rewards are well worth the effort when you're ready to buy a home. By controlling your spending, keeping credit card balances low, making timely payments, monitoring your report for errors, diversifying your credit mix wisely, and limiting hard inquiries, you'll be well on your way to achieving an excellent credit score—and securing the home of your dreams with favorable mortgage terms. Happy house hunting!
MORE
5 Fastest Growing Cities Around San Antonio
5 Fastest Growing Cities Around San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas is a thriving metropolitan area with a growing economy and a strong job market. As a result, several nearby cities have experienced significant growth in recent years. Here are the fastest growing cities around San Antonio:1 – New BraunfelsNew Braunfels is located just 30 miles northeast of San Antonio and has experienced explosive growth in recent years. The city’s population has more than doubled since 2000, and it now has a population of over 90,000. New Braunfels is known for its scenic beauty, with the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers running through the city. The city also hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, including the Wurstfest and the Texas Clay Festival.2 – SchertzSchertz is located 20 miles northeast of San Antonio and has a population of over 40,000. The city has seen significant growth in recent years, with its population increasing by over 40% since 2000. Schertz is home to several major employers, including Amazon, Caterpillar, and Randolph Air Force Base. The city also boasts a strong school system and several parks and green spaces.3 – BoerneBoerne is located 30 miles northwest of San Antonio and has a population of over 18,000. The city has seen steady growth in recent years, with its population increasing by over 25% since 2000. Boerne is known for its picturesque downtown area, which is home to several restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries. The city is also surrounded by natural beauty, with several parks and nature preserves nearby.4 – CiboloCibolo is located 20 miles northeast of San Antonio and has a population of over 35,000. The city has seen significant growth in recent years, with its population increasing by over 50% since 2000. Cibolo is home to several major employers, including Randolph Air Force Base and Schlitterbahn Waterpark. The city also has a strong school system and several parks and green spaces.5 – ConverseConverse is located 15 miles northeast of San Antonio and has a population of over 30,000. The city has seen steady growth in recent years, with its population increasing by over 25% since 2000. Converse is home to several major employers, including Randolph Air Force Base and IKEA. The city also has several parks and green spaces, including the Converse North Park and the Converse City Park.In conclusion, the San Antonio metropolitan area is home to several fast-growing cities that offer a high quality of life and strong job market. Whether you’re looking for scenic beauty, urban amenities, or a strong school system, these cities have something to offer everyone.
MORE