My friend Luke hanging out with "Das Schnitzel" at Wurstfest 2009.
No, I didn't fly to Germany this weekend.
I've spent a lot of time in Germany in the course of my life. I was there before the Wall came down and have spent months at a time roaming from town to town while I was still a musician. I actually had designs on being a German teacher at one point in my life. I still speak and understand some of the language - enough to get me where I need to go.
I have a certain love for all things German. I guess it just rubbed off on me during my time over there. Some cities are so familiar to me I can point you in the right direction of my favorite restaurants, hotels, and venues. My love for all things German especially extends to two things: beer and sausage (or Wurst as they are called in German).
Wurstfest 2009 - New Braunfels, Texas
I didn't realize how much German influence there was in this part of the country until I moved here. New Braunfels, Texas is the home of Wurstfest, "A Salute To Sausage," billed as Oktoberfest - Texas Style. With tons of different vendors selling all sorts of different sausage, beers from Späten to Warsteiner (as well as local German-inspired favorite, Shiner), gifts (steins, lederhosen, hats, and more), and a typical round up of small town festival foods. Music continues throughout the day and night in several locations throughout the Landa Park grounds. No matter what, you'll have a good time.
This year seemed very packed compared to previous years I've gone and I wonder if the festival isn't growing too much for the size of it's location. Located along the banks of the Comal River in Landa Park, the Wustfest grounds may need expanding once again if attendance continues to climb. Started in 1961 (1967 was the first year it was held in Landa Park at the Wursthalle), the festival continues to attract people from around the world as well as locals and nearby residents. You can see the pride on people's faces as they walk through the festival grounds. It's a Texas thing that's deeply rooted in the beer halls of München (Munich).
Next year, come on down. Trink ein bisschen Bier and viel Spass machen. (Drink a little beer and have a lot of fun.) Wilkommen. We're glad you came.
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