Missoula will organize a German-themed festival in October at Caras Park to celebrate its sister-city partnership with Neckargemünd, Germany.
Germanfest is a community program where people can experience German culture through live music, food vendors, and family-friendly games. There will be several vendors at the park, including The Patti Wagon, Worden’s Market, and Chur Ice Cream. Food like brats and potato salad can be purchased from the Missoula Culinary School and Arts Missoula. The Bamboo Bar will join the festival to provide drinks other than beer to attendees. Entertainment for the program is provided by ocTUBAfest and Accordion to Mike.
Missoula’s Germanfest started in 1993 after Jerry Fetz and Erich Pohl switched places as professors for a year. Fetz taught at the University of Montana, and Pohl taught at the University of Heidelberg. The mayors of Missoula and Neckargemünd agreed that becoming sister cities would be mutually beneficial. The Fetz family cofounded Germanfest with Arts Missoula, an organization that offers cultural experiences and holds programs like All City Jazz.
The German festival will be held on October 6th from noon to 5:00 pm. There is no ticket price for people to visit the event and enjoy the live entertainment. Registration for Germanfest is also not necessary. Cultural organizations in charge of similar annual programs may use banner printing to promote their fests to the community.
