Hermann Wurstfest Offers the Best of Missouri's Wurst

By Jim Grebing

Director of Tourism

The Wiener Dog Derby
on Sunday afternoon
is a Wurstfest favorite. 

One of Hermann's oldest and most popular festivals--Wurstfest--is drawing near, and now is the time to start planning to attend. The 32nd annual Hermann Wurstfest will be held March 26 and 27 at Stone Hill Winery Pavilion and the Hermannhof Festhalle. Sponsored by the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce, this event is a time when local sausage makers, wineries, B&Bs, museums, restaurants and shops reaffirm Hermann as the "Sausage Capital of Missouri."

Wurstfest visitors will have a chance to sample and purchase products from 10 professional sausage makers from around the area. A complete list of participants will be announced later this month. Amateur sausage makers can also enter their products to be reviewed by a panel of distinguished judges. On the evening of March 26, an awards ceremony is held to recognize the "Best of the Wurst" as amateurs and professionals learn how they stacked up against other competitors. 

Sausage making demonstrations will be held both Saturday and Sunday, there will be a display of antique sausage making equipment and plenty of German music. Admission is just $6. On Sunday at 1 p.m. the ever-popular Wiener Dog Derby will be held at the City Park, offering dachshund owners an opportunity to enter their dogs in relay races, talent and costume contests. This is a fun event with plenty of excitement.

Wurstfest is not only a great day trip but also a wonderful way to spend a weekend. In addition to Wurstfest activities, all of the wineries, shops and restaurants are open; the Deutschheim State Historic Site and Historic Hermann Museum at the German School are also both open that weekend. There are plenty of rooms to choose from in a variety of price ranges. Don't wait too long to make reservations because this is a popular weekend in Hermann.

To get a feel for what Wurstfest is like, take a look at this video filmed last year by our Vista worker, Katie McBride:

       

We hope you will make plans to attend our 2011 Wurstfest. Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. If you enjoy sausage you will love this event.