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!