By Kristine Thomas
The “wurst” festival in Mount Angel invites guests to learn a new German word and partake in a new tradition – Fasching.
“Fasching is the German Mardi Gras celebration,” Kathy Wall of the Wurstfest committee said. “Many years ago, Fasching was celebrated in Mount Angel, and we are bringing back the tradition and encouraging people to celebrate the last blast of winter with a raucous celebration before the austerity of Lent.”
The sixth annual Wurstfest – celebration of sausage – is 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1 at the Mount Angel Festhalle, 500 S. Wilco Hwy. Admission is $5 or $10 with specialty stein or glass (limited availability). Children accompanied by an adult are admitted free until 10 p.m. The proceeds from Wurstfest benefit the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce’s community improvement projects and activities.
“We use the proceeds for the flower baskets and the Christmas trees in downtown Mount Angel, for the First Citizen’s banquet and for the Junior First Citizen scholarship,” Wall said. “The proceeds go to a lot of fun things for Mount Angel.”
Friday’s highlights include Senior Day for guest over 55 with special give-a-ways from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday’s celebration starts at 10:30 a.m. with “The Wurst 5K Run.” Registered runners, joggers and walkers receive entry into the festival, bier stein and a complimentary beverage. To register, visit www.racenorthwest.com/wurstrun/ or email [email protected].
Feb. 28 and March1
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Mount Angel Festhalle
500 S Wilco Hwy
Tickets: $5, $10 with stein
mtangelwurstfest.com
The Fasching celebration starts at 5 p.m. Saturday. Guests are encouraged to dress-up and partake in the parade throughout the Festhalle starting at 8:45 p.m. Prizes will be announced at 9:15 p.m. with the grand prize winner receiving a free night’s stay at The Oregon Garden.
“We encourage people to come in costume for the Fasching celebration,” Wall said, adding they can wear anything from a Halloween costume to their German outfits.
“When we held it many years ago, I remember a couple who dressed as couch potatoes,” she said. “You can wear mismatched clothes or a jester hat and a mask. We just want people to come and have fun.”
On both days, there will be music, dancing, food and vendors. Children and an adult are invited to participate in the activities at the Kindergarten, beginning on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday.
Wall said the entertainment includes the Kleinstadtlers and the Fleckensteiners, both local dance groups, and musical groups Z Musikmakers, Paul Smith and Friends with Peggie Moje, the Bavarian Echoes with Marlene Meissner and the Greg Meier Alpine Trio.
Area sausage makers will present 15 varieties of wurst including bratwurst, currywurst and frickadelwurst garnished with sauerkraut, grilled onions and Monastery Mustards.
