St. Joe prepping for GermanFest Sept. 26
GLUCKSTADT — Preparing more than 600 quarts of homemade sauerkraut for next month’s 34th Annual GermanFest has been under way for some time and the last jar was canned last week.
Members of St. Joseph Catholic Church along with other community members have spent the past few weeks preparing the mix that brings people from all over the world here to celebrate the city’s German culture.
The advance work includes other goods and canned items to offer for sale and consumption at the event.
Pam Minninger, lay ecclesial minister at St. Joseph Catholic Church, said she has helped make the homemade sauerkraut to sell at St. Joseph’s Germanfest for the past 25 years.
“One of our senior members at the church, Billie Endris, suggested we start making the kraut homemade since it’s much better than the canned stuff,” Minninger said of the origins of the community making homemade sauerkraut for the event.
“It’s a simple recipe: cabbage and salt, and then you let it ferment. People loved it the first year we gave it out and wanted to take it home with them. Since then, we’ve been making it before the festival every year and storing it in jars to sell for $10 each.”
Pam Minninger’s husband Kerry said the sauerkraut is always a hit at GermanFest but other homemade offerings are available at the event as well.
“A lot of parishioners are making things for the country store, and the last jar of sauerkraut got canned last week,” Kerry Minninger said.
“Our cooks are making another batch two and a half weeks before the festival to get it ready to go with the bratwurst. They make it at the church and have some big crocks. It stays there until they can put it in the jars and use it at the festival.”
Pam Minninger said many parishioners are excited about this year’s Germanfest that will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 26 on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church at 127 Church Road in Gluckstadt.
The excitement is not only because Germanfest was canceled last year, but also because this will be the first year of Germanfest since Gluckstadt became an incorporated city earlier this year.
“St. Joseph Church has been in the area for almost 120 years, and this community has built up around the church,” Pam Minninger said. “We’re happy to put Germanfest on to bring people to Gluckstadt to see what a treasure it is and be part of the community for a day.”
As is the tradition, Germanfest will have foods including bratwurst, homemade desserts, jams and jellies, and arts and crafts, games for children, a German band the Polkameisters of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and more, she said.
One of the highlights of the annual event for Pam Minninger is seeing people come from all over including from out of state and even Germany to take part in the festivities.
“Everything this year is outdoors, and everyone is asked to bring their chairs and blankets,” Pam Minninger said. “If anyone wants to wear a mask, they are welcome to do so, but it is not a requirement. Whatever makes everyone feel safe and comfortable.”
Advance meal tickets for Germanfest are $7 and are available from parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Ticket information is also available by calling the parish office at 601-856-2054. Meals on the day of the festival are $8.
To find St. Joseph Church, take Exit 112 from Interstate 55 North, and go west for three-quarters of a mile. Admission and parking for the festival are free.
For more information, call Pam Minninger at 601-856-2054, or visit the St. Joseph Catholic Church website at www.stjosephgluckstadt.com.