Heritage Village Throws German Festival Aug 12

Open Door Bird Sanctuary’s Mike Kemmler with Bonnie, a red-tailed hawk. Submitted.

Germany is intent on preserving its history through its festival traditions with a festival celebration for nearly every occasion throughout the year. In this tradition, the Door County Historical Society will celebrate mid-summer with a German Festival at Heritage Village at Big Creek on Aug. 12, 10 am – 3 pm.

Door County Historical Society member Nan Krause gives a historical presentation on German immigration. Submitted.

One way German cities preserve their customs and traditions is with “Volksfeste” or peoples’ festivals. Thuringer bratwurst may be traced back to the year 1404 in Erfurt; since then, an annual bratwurst festival has been held. Can you think of a better reason to have a festival than to celebrate bratwurst? Heritage Village will celebrate German food featuring the bratwurst with accompaniments of German potato salad, red cabbage and sauerkraut. Guests may finish their meal with German chocolate cake or black forest cake topped with whipping cream.

During the festival, the blacksmiths will give demonstrations throughout the day; Marion Schley will demonstrate how to make sauerkraut at 10:30 am and 12:15 pm; Helen Cordon will play German music on her accordion; and Nan and Jerry Krause will give programs on German immigration at 11 am and 1:30 pm. The Madden Tool Museum will be open with brothers Mike and Pat Madden explaining some of the tools in our collection. Guests may also meet some of Door County’s native birds of prey from Open Door Bird Sanctuary. From 10 am – 2 pm, volunteers will share fun facts about hawks, owls and falcons.

Admission is $6 for adults and free for children, but donations are appreciated. Menu items are available for purchase. For more information, visit doorcountyhistoricalsociety.org or call 920.421.2332.