Opening Ceremonies Highlight Thursday’s Strassenfest

By: Corbin Lingenfelter, News Director

Jasper- The City of Jasper’s annual festival, Strassenfest, begins Thursday with its opening ceremonies. 

The layout of Strassenfest is a little different from last year, with it expanding into the Thyen Clark Cultural Center parking lot.

“We always get feedback from people who attend the fest,” said Laura Grammer, Committee Chairperson. “There were a couple of things that we tried to address from that feedback. One of the things was it was a little squished downtown.”

Ceremonies begin at 5:45 PM Eastern when the Celebration Singers take the Willkommen Stage for a singing of patriotic songs. Following their performance, the lighting of the sister cities lantern, children’s dances, and a welcome from the Strassenfest court and committee will take place at 6:00 PM Eastern. 

A new dance will also join the ceremonies.

“It’s a bench dance,” Grammer said, “These kids are bouncing on the bench, smacking things. It’s just the coolest thing ever.”

After the events at the Willkommen Stage, the parade to the Bier Garten will begin. Beer and brats will lead the parade along with the Strassenfest Committee, community members, and Pfaffenweiler Mayor Lukas Mahler. The parade will be stopping at the Glockenspiel to watch the first performance before continuing to the Bier Garten. The first tap will be served at the Bier Garten followed by polka dancing.

Other events for Thursday include:

Thyen-Clark Cultural Center Parking Lot (6:30-9:00 PM)

• The Balloon Guys
• Caricature Drawings- Roland Decastro
• Face Painting

Jasper Arts Center Lounge (6:00 PM- 10:00 PM)

• Baby Photo Contest

Willkomen Stage (Multiple Times)

• WITZ Guitar Pull (7:00 PM)
• The Strangers Concert (9:00 PM)

Glockenspiel Stage (Multiple Times)

• Das Schokopiel- Chocolate Game (7:05 PM)
• Children’s Chicken Dance Contest (7:45 PM- 8:00 PM)
• Das Glockenspiel (8:00 PM & 9:00 PM)
• Dad’s Rootbeer Mug Holding Contest (8:05 PM- 8:30 PM)
• Schnitzelbank Song Sing-Along (8:45 PM- 9:00 PM)
• Log Sawing Contest (9:05 PM)

Bier Garten (Multiple Times)

• The Alpen Echos and Chardon Polka Band (7:00 PM- 12:30 AM)
• Landler Dance Performance (7:30 PM- 8:45 PM)
• Stein Holding Contest (8:00 PM- 8:30 PM)
• Polka Contest (10:00 PM)
• Chicken Dance Contest (10:00 PM)

WITZ will be live streaming opening ceremonies in its entirety on our Facebook page.