At it’s inception, the volunteers of 1976 worked to create an event with one simple goal - A Family Fun Day. A day where families all around could come, enjoy music, food, drink, and activities all while celebrating the German Heritage from where the town descends.
The fest may be a bit bigger today than it was in ’76, but attendees can still find the abundance of the family fun started by the founding volunteers. A day of fun where one can find themselves performing the chicken dance, tossing a naked chicken, watching the Dachshunds race, or simply, enjoying meeting up with an old friend.
Where you will hear sounds of brats sizzling, ribeyes flaming up, that deep frier heating the oil…. Tssss…
Then comes the aroma - not just from the grill, but of fresh baked pretzels, roasted almonds… oh my, are the senses tickled!
Finally comes the tough choice. Is it pig wings? Or maybe a Reuben? A Fester? Options seem to be endless here at Freudenfest, but one thing is for certain - you will find the Sauerkraut!
Our 'Locally World Famous' Sauerkraut balls are hand rolled by volunteers months in advance, hundreds of dozens are cooked, rolled, then immediately frozen - ready for the festival. Order your dozen at the festival, those taste buds will be dancing for joy!
Interested in a full plated meal, all made from scratch...We got you! Offering main courses like the Oldenburg favorite fried chicken and the German classic - Sausage & Sauerkraut.
Authentic German Street Food presented by A Cut Above - Schnitzel and More. That's right, come stroll the street of Freudenfest and grab some authentic German street grub!
It's a warm summer July day, the band is shredding on the accordian, and you are looking for a ice cold refreshment. How about an ice cold premium root beer poured straight from the keg? That will get you refreshed for the dance floor!
Being a German Festival, we proudly offer a vast selection of German Style Bier. Some come all the way from Germany, some from a nearby city and some are brewed right here in the Village of Spires
Not into the German Styles? We do offer a other styles on tap - check out our tap list!
Hunting for a domestic? You will only find those on Saturday served in 16oz cans.
Check back closer to the fest for a list of our beers on tap!
Wine has been a big part of German culture ever since the Romans introduced it to the Germanic territories 2,000 years ago. So it's fitting we find wine just as appealing at our festival. Proudly offering a mix of German inspired wines... along with some local favorites.
Remember, due to our safety policy, we cannot hand you a bottle of wine - but we can pour it into a carafe for you!
And legally (and unfortunately) we cannot sell you a bottle of wine to take home.
Check back closer to the fest for a list of our wine offerings!
How it works - First, show your ID to get your wristband upon entering the festival. Then find the Bier Ticket Booth to purchase your bier tickets. You will not be served if you do not have a wristband AND a bier ticket.
BIER - One drink ticket = 16oz pour
WEIN - One drink ticket = 5oz pour
A passionate group of volunteers giving back to the Village of Spires through keeping full those steins and glasses of wine.
If you choose to drink at the festival - Please Drink Responsibly. Please do not choose to drive home drunk - utilize our shuttle service or select a Designated Driver.
We are not responsible for accidents.
Want to rep some festival gear? A chicken hat? Maybe a Viking helmet? We can help - check out the Merch Booth to grab some gear. Mugs, shirts, hats, you name it and it’s likely there.
Take a stroll down Pig Tail Alley to "Get Your Freud On!"
A half liter ceramic mug filled with your favorite brew, laughing as you catch up with family and friends - that is hard to beat. Get this years version quick, our limited supply has a tendency to sell out! (Sold Exclusively at the festival)
Pair this years ceramic mug with this years T-shirt to create the ultimate Freudenfest look! (Sold Exclusively at the festival)
The Freudenfest, meaning "festival of fun”, is a non profit organization that originated in 1976 by volunteers who envisioned holding a “family fun day”.
The mission then is the same today, “to provide a high quality festival that celebrates the richness of our German Heritage community through people having a fun day with their family and friends”.
The annual reunion has fondly become known as:
Our festival is still a cash centric event, meaning most transactions will require cash (some vendors do take card!). We understand there are people who no longer carry cash - so we provide an ATM to allow remember the feel of paper money.
No alocholic beverages are permitted coming into or leaving the festival grounds
Pets are not permitted within the festival grounds except service animals and Dachshund’s participating in the 2:00pm race. We are sorry but we cannot allow pets in the festival. With the heat and crowd it is not a safe or comfortable environment for pets.
Freudenfest reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at our event without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. Freudenfest may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by Freudenfest including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, social media, etc.
To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian