Elkhorn and United Way of Walworth County are working together this weekend to provide an authentic German festival experience merged with traditional Wisconsin summer fun.
The second annual DasFest will take place Friday through Sunday on the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn. Admission is free, but events and food on the grounds cost money. Both cash and credit cards will be accepted.
The event kicks off Friday evening with the opening ceremony in the Oktoberfest tent, where the Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band will perform from 3 to 5:45 p.m., with the ceremonial keg tapping at 5:30 p.m.
All funds raised from the event go to United Way of Walworth County. The event features classic German music and activities, as well as a large variety food and, of course, beer.
“That’s truly the best part of doing this festival,” said Tammy Dunn. “All the food pantries, the shelters, the conservancies, the YMCA. It gives you goosebumps.
“We have DasFest as our signature event,” Dunn added. “Our partner agencies … we are always looking for ways to support them.”
Dunn said the festival also has a positive economic impact on the immediate area. With the help of a JEM Grant from Travel Wisconsin, the festival drew well last year, bringing needed traffic to Elkhorn
“Not only do we help local, non-profit organizations, but we boost the local economy to the tune of, per Travel Wisconsin, $2.2 million last year,” Dunn said.
Given it is a German-themed festival, food and beer are a major draw. There will sit-down meal options, as Mader’s Restaurant – the famous Milwaukee German restaurant – will serve indoor meals on site. There is also the Kaffee und Kuchen Bakery, which will offer everything from homemade Black Forest Cake to Bienenstich.
If a festivalgoer’s palate goes to less exotic, there will also be traditional fair food as well as local restaurants including La Chucheria, Gracie’s Kitchen and Catering and Lake Geneva Country Meats. Even country meats, though, gets into the theme, using a special bacon grease infused with local craft beer to fry its brats in.
“Oh. My. God,” Dunn said. “We got a sneak peak. It’s out of this world.”
The short version? There’s definitely something for everyone.
“The food is so diverse,” Dunn said. “We were really working to bring a selection everyone could enjoy and still keep that German theme.”
There’s also the music. With three different stages around the grounds, there’s a number of different acts ready to perform.
The Backyard Stage, sponsored by Visit Lake Geneva, is new this year, featuring what Dunn called “beyond-oompa” music.
“Traditionally, people think German festivals feature just oompa music,” Dunn said.
As an example of how it’s not, the Backyard Stage will feature the Gerhard Albinus Band, an accordion-front group that plays classic rock.
The headliner for the weekend will be the Alex Meixner Band, a group that bills itself as, “Have you ever heard Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train played on an accordion? You’re in for a treat!
“Nationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated musician and producer Alex Meixner can play more than 12 instruments, and sing in 11 languages.
“The band brings a contagious, high-energy, cross-pollination of exuberant Central European party music, letting die-hard polka fans enjoy and embrace evolution, and hipsters discover all there is to love in the underappreciated, innately fun genre.”
“If you come to see nothing else, come to see that,” Dunn said of the “Crazy Train” rendition.
The event will have a number of traditional German competition-style events as well – and not just for human beings. Stein-holding competitions for prizes involve holding a stein full of beer for as long as someone can.
Hammer-Schlagen, a traditional contest of nail-driving, will also be featured.
For those interested in watching rather than participating, festivalgoers should keep an eye out for the Little Leg Races, which take place Saturday and Sunday in the southeast corner of the grounds in the Bark Park.
“It’s definitely a highlight,” Dunn said.
German dance troupes, bingo, a carnival and Friday night’s Wines for Humanity wine tasting are among the other events on the schedule.
For more information, including a full list of events, bands and food providers, go to dasfestusa.com.
