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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Guttenberg, Iowa Celebrates German Heritage



With its rich German heritage, it’s cool to be Deutsch every day in Guttenberg .... but especially so on the 4th weekend of September every year.

This year the Guttenberg Germanfest, now in its 22nd year, will be held on September 21 and 22, concluding with a German church service on Sunday September 23.   

In the 1840s, German immigrants settled in Guttenberg among the scenic bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley in Northeast Iowa.  Many of its limestone buildings reflect this heritage and over 70 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Walking tours are available.

The celebration begins late Friday afternoon with the Craft Fair and Open-Air Market setting up and hog roast serving at 5:30pm in the festival tent. Then, enjoy the live music by the national touring band, “Jim Busta’s Polka Band” from 6–9:30pm. 

Saturday’s events include arts/craft vendors, contests, games, music, food, 5K run/walk, biergarten (including the same beers served at the Oktober Fest in Munich), a brat-eating contest, kids’ games and activities and Lock & Dam #10 Open House. The Germanfest 5K walk/run is sponsored by The Guttenberg Hospital. Enter your dachshund in the crowd-pleasing Wiener Dog Dash.

Featured entertainment includes the Guttenberg German Band, Lyle Beaver, UNI German Dancers, The Silbertaler Trio, Dubuque Cloggers, Clayton Ridge State Champion Drill Team, Guttenberg Karate Club, Topp Flight and much more. 

The high energy 70s-80s rock cover band, “Stranded in Iowa” with lead singer, Adam Beck, will take the stage at 7pm with the opening band, The Lovehandles at 5pm.

Another favorite returns as a storybook character comes to life with Princess Heidi and her Opa and Oma (Grandpa and Grandma) circulating throughout the day.

View a replica of the Guttenberg Bible at the Guttenberg Public Library.

There is a free shuttle service to and from the festival area.

Click on www.germanfestinguttenberg.com for details or contact the Guttenberg Welcome Center, toll free 877-252-2323 or email at germanfest@hotmail.com  

For more information about top events in Iowa take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Iowa.