Press Releases
The Best of Missouri's Wurst
December 13, 2007 | For Immediate Release
(HERMANN, Mo.) — A two-day celebration of Hermann's 160-year history of sausage making and German culture will take place during the 29th annual WURSTFEST on March 29 & 30, 2008. The Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce joins local sausage makers, wineries, a brewery, restaurants and shops in reaffirming Hermann as the "Sausage Capital of Missouri" during this popular festival held Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors are invited to sample and purchase Old-World delicacies such as Bratwurst, Leberwurst, Schwartenmagen and Sommer Sausage in the Pavilion at Stone Hill Winery and at the Hermannhof Festhalle on both days. Admission for sampling is $6. On Saturday and Sunday, Marilyn Loehnig performs in the Stone Hill Pavilion from noon to 4 p.m., the Rhineland Wurstjaegers will dance to Marilyn’s live German music at 1 p.m., and the owners and friends of Stone Hill Winery will demonstrate old-time sausage-making skills throughout the weekend.
A statewide sausage-making contest will be held at the Hermannhof Festhalle on Saturday. The Festhalle will display antique sausage-making and winemaking equipment both days. A panel of both celebrity and expert judges will be on hand to evaluate the numerous sausage entries. Lynn Stewart, former St. Louis radio personality, will join the professional judges this year, while John Pertzborn of KTVI-TV Fox News in St. Louis will lead the celebrity judges. Other professional and celebrity judges are still being added. The Winner’s Display will be exhibited from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Various musicians will perform each day from noon to 4 p.m. at the Festhalle with the Rhineland Wurstjaegers dancing to live music both days at 2 p.m.
Everyone is invited to start the day off right with a "whole hog sausage breakfast" at the Hermann Fire House #2 on Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to noon. An encore performance of the Wiener Dog Derby is also scheduled for Sunday at the Hermann City Park at 1 p.m. Dachshund owners are encouraged to enter their dogs in relay races, costume contests and more. Registration will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Admission is $2.50 per person.
Several of the area shops and museums will be featuring craft demonstrations, and the local wineries, including Adam Puchta, Bias, Bommarito, Hermannhof, Robller, Oak Glenn and Stone Hill, will offer wine tastings and/or tours. For contest and lodging information call 800-932-8687 or check the Web at www.hermannmo.info.
