Is it possible in one weekend to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Oregon’s birthday, have one last blast before the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and get a kick start on health goals?
Only if you are willing to have the best of times at the Wurstfest.
The seventh annual Mount Angel Wurstfest is 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Mount Angel Festhalle, 500 S. Wilco Hwy. Admission is $5 or $10 with specialty stein or glass. Children with an adult are admitted free until 10 p.m. Proceeds from Wurstfest benefit the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce’s community projects and activities.
Besides being a celebration of the sausage, Wurstfest is also a celebration of community. There is something for everyone to enjoy from senior citizens to young children.Our Town worked with Wurstfest committee member Kathy Wall to devise a game plan to enjoy all there is to do during Wurstfest.
Celebrate senior status
Wall said last year senior citizens lined up an hour before the doors opened for Wurstfest. This year on Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., those 65 and older will be eligible for special give-a-ways.
Celebrate Fasching – a German Mardi Gras:
For those of you who can’t make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, celebrate Fasching – or German Mardi Gras – from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday. Wear a colorful mask, an old bridesmaid dress, mismatched clothing or dress up as a superhero, favorite character or … ? Wall said this is the second year Fasching will be a part of Wurstfest. There will be a parade and prizes for the best costumes.
Celebrate the Wurst Run for the best reason
Extend your years of eating, drinking and being merry by staying healthy. The Wurstfest Fun Run begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Festhalle. To register or for information visit: racenorthwest.com/wurstrun. And for those who prefer dancing to running, there will be plenty of music to keep you moving on both days.
Celebrate Oregon’s 156th birthday
On Feb. 14, 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state. As every devoted Oregonian knows, the best way to celebrate the state’s birthday is by enjoying Oregon’s bounty. Sausages, mustard, beer and wine locally made will be featured. Mt. Angel Sausage Co., The Glockenspiel Restaurant, Mount Angel’s Beneditine Sisters, Seven Brides Brewing of Silverton and Hanson Vineyards of Monitor will be serving up local delights. There will be others with fine German food and beverages as well.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Wall also encourages couples to participate in the anniversary dance. “We invite all the couples onto the dance floor and then we ask couples who have been together a year to first leave and continue until we have the couple who has been married the longest who will receive a gift,” Wall said. The young ones can visit Kindergarten Corner, perhaps making a Valentine for mom or dad, or having their face painted and being entertained by balloon fun.
