Arts Missoula celebrates 31 years of friendship with its Sister City, Neckargemünd, Germany, at the annual Germanfest, slated for Sunday, Oct. 6, from noon-5 p.m. at Caras Park in Missoula.
Enjoy authentic German food and beer, lively music, guest speakers, a mini-market, contests and games, kids’ activities, a raffle, and so much more at this annual party. Admission is free.
Arts Missoula is excited to bring the games back to Germanfest. Last year’s events like Fish Slapping, Log Sawing and Stein Holding were a big hit. This year, they plan to add even more games, including some just for the kiddos.
Bayern Brewing, a long-time staple of this event, is back with thirst-quenching German beer. Don’t miss the tapping of the keg—but stand back—you might get sprayed!
OcTUBAfest and Accordion to Mike provide lively music for dancing and sing-alongs. Be sure to don your finest Dirndl and Lederhosen.
More Food!
This year, Germanfest welcomes extra food vendors. The Patti Wagon, Worden’s Market, Big Dipper, Louie’s, and Chur Ice Cream will be on hand with tasty treats. Arts Missoula will provide Brats by Pattee Creek Market and authentic Potato Salad from the Missoula Culinary School. And no Germanfest would be complete without pretzels! Bayern will be serving up delicious pretzels. And Bamboo Bar’s will be on hand offering alternatives for those who prefer beverages other than beer.
Since its origins in the early 1990s, Missoula’s Sister-City partnership with Neckargemünd, Germany, has provided unique opportunities for citizens of both communities to learn, share, and foster friendships that span the cultural gap.
For more information call 406-541-0860, email [email protected] or visit https://artsmissoula.org/events/germanfest/.
VOLUNTEERS
It takes a lot of hands to make this annual event happen. Volunteers are always needed at Germanfest. Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44AAAC2DA1FCC43-50815785-germanfest#/ to see how you can help.
History of Germanfest: 1993 – 2024
2024 marks the 31st anniversary of Missoula’s Sister-City Partnership with Neckargemünd, Germany.
The sister city idea was born during the 1990-91 academic year when Professor Jerry Fetz, from The University of Montana, and Professor Erich Pohl, from the University of Heidelberg, received Fulbright Awards to trade places for the year. Both agreed this relationship would be beneficial.
In 1992-93, delegations from the two cities, including mayors, city council members, choirs and citizens, traveled to their potential sister-city to get to know one another and to discuss whether such a partnership might be feasible.
Mayor Dan Kemmis of Missoula and Mayor Oskar Schuster of Neckargemünd, with the support of their respective City Councils and numerous citizens, agreed that this partnership should be inaugurated and bring these cities, their students, and citizens closer together.
During the past 30 years, this vibrant partnership has focused on high school and university student exchanges. Nearly 500 young Missoulians and Neckargemünders have spent memorable times in each other’s cities, schools and households. Generous Missoulians have hosted guests from Germany, and gracious Neckargemünders have greeted and welcomed Missoulians into their homes. The high school student exchange program has been on hiatus for the past several years, but organizers hope to resume exchanges in the future.
About Neckargemünd:
Neckargemünd is a very old city, first cited in an official document over 1,000 years ago. The town is located along the Neckar River and is nestled in by the hills of Dilsberg and Mückenloch with beautiful, forested areas that invite long walks for every season. Neckargemünd is smaller than Missoula but attracts a lot of visitors from the larger towns like Heidelberg or Mannheim, where many Neckargemünders work or study (collectively known as the Odenwald).
Arts Missoula‘s annual Germanfest celebrates this cultural partnership and fosters continued friendship. While not a fundraiser, funds raised during the event go back into programs to increase access to arts and cultural experiences.
Arts Missoula is a local arts and culture agency that serves as a resource for the coordination, development and support of art and culture for the benefit of the Missoula community.