Gemuetlichkeit Days are set

By Steve Sharp of the Daily Times staff
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 1:27 PM CDT

JEFFERSON - Apparently almost four decades of experience pays off, because planners of Jefferson's Gemuetlichkeit Days - set for its 37th annual three-day run this weekend - say that once again they have festival preparations thoroughly under control.

Chris Bieck has been a part of the planning team for 17 years at Gemuetlichkeit Days. She currently serves as a public relations representative for the fest and, having been born and raised in Jefferson, said proudly she has been to every Gemuetlichkeit Days since its inception.

“Everything is right on time,” she said. “We started this last weekend with the trap shoot, the Mecki contest and we went to Countryside Home for Gemuetlichkeit with those residents.”

She said the group was planning to meet Monday night for a session that does not adjourn and gets the group in the spirit to carry on with good tidings right through Sunday evening's close of the festival. Set-up for Gemuetlichkeit Days at the Jefferson County Fair Park takes place Wednesday starting at 8 a.m. Doors open Friday at 5 p.m. and remain open through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The festival ends at around that time with the grand prize drawing.

“We're an organization that has meetings all year long,” Bieck said. “We usually meet monthly, but closer to the event, we meet every week.”

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She added that organizers participate in parades throughout south-central Wisconsin during the summer to promote the festival. To date, they have marched in places such as Lake Mills, Sussex, Watertown, Whitewater, Dousman, Ixonia, Waupun and Janesville.

“We believe this really helps,” she said. “We get people from as far away as Europe coming to Gemuetlichkeit Days.”

New this year will be go-carts and an inflatable playland for kids.

“We will bring back some of the old contests, such as the bed races downtown, with registration at 10:30 and racing at 11 a.m. on Sunday just before the parade on Main Street,” she said. “And because of our theme of ‘Roll Out the Barrel,' at 9:30 p.m. Friday is a beer barrel rolling contest.”

She reminded those coming to the fest that there will be much German food and a huge card tournament that always fills the Activity Center.

“There's so much. Decorating will be done by the Optimist Club and people can bring their bikes and the kids can be in the parade with the bikes, but they need to wear helmets. We have more than 23 crafters visiting us Saturday and Sunday,” she noted.

Bieck said she is looking forward to the ceremonial tapping of the first keg of beer, which always gets the event off on a festive note.

“There's a road rally too that I always enjoy,” she said. “I personally love the bands. We are always thankful for all the community support we get.”

See the festival's Web site at www.gdays.org for a comprehensive list of times and locations to hear each of the fest's many polka bands - among them on Friday, opening night, Mike Schneider 7 to 11 p.m., Die Spiel Meisters from 5 to 7 p.m. and Freistadt Alte Kameraden from 7 to 11 p.m.

“Anybody and everybody is welcome to join our organization and of course attend this festival of German heritage,” she said. “We work hard and play hard.”