Gemuetlichkeit Days is up and running

By Steve Sharp of the Daily Times staff
Friday, September 14, 2007 11:06 PM CDT

Revelers celebrate their German heritage during the opening night of Gemuetlichkeit Days in Jefferson Friday. Above, Penny Ashburn dances with friends at the Jefferson County Fair Park. (JOHN HART/Daily Times)

JEFFERSON - With the cool evening air making it feel more like a genuine Octoberfest, Jefferson's yearly, mid-September celebration of its German heritage began Friday at the Jefferson County Fair Park.

Music, beer, laughter and smiles on faces young and old were again the highlights of opening night at Gemuetlichkeit Days 2007, but this year another treat for the senses was evident - the smell of authentic German food.

The fest's authentic German food offerings have grown slowly but steadily in recent years. And this year, C.W. Catering, LLC and the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, among others, had their stoves and burners going to prepare such things as sauerbraten, potato pancakes, German potato salad and bratwurst with sauerkraut.

Representatives of Fort Atkinson's C.W. Catering touted their diverse and tasty sampler platter, featuring pork schnitzel, beef rouladen, spaetzle, red cabbage and rye bread for $8. They said fest-goers seem to be enjoying that platter quite a bit and a lot of effort goes into making it. They said the sauerbraten alone takes five days to cure and all their food is homemade. They also said Gemuetlichkeit Days is a great showcase for their specialty, German cuisine.

At the chamber's food booth, Barb Hauser told the Daily Times potato pancakes, funnel cakes and sauerbraten sandwiches with German potato salad were the hot items on the brisk evening. Her partner at the cash register was Raughn Ferrell of the chamber, who added that the brats with sauerkraut were also well worth testing.

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At the Gemuetlichkeit concession stand, decked out in traditional German festival garb, was Debbie Meinel of Jefferson. Meinel said she and others at the booth had sold a considerable number of commemorative event T-shirts, as well as flowered headpieces worn by girls and women. Children's items were popular Friday night, as well.

The Gemuetlichkeit Days queen for 2007, Mary Haag, was found busy chatting Friday evening with new and old friends, and seemed to be enjoying her reign.

“It's been a wonderful experience,” she said. “There really haven't been any surprises. It's pretty much been what I expected. And this organization is so wonderful - it's like a family and everyone looks out for each other, so they told me what to expect.”

“We were so honored by this,” her husband and Gemuetlichkeit king, Gary Haag, added. “We're honored that they thought so highly of us to nominate us and then to select us. It's absolutely awesome.”

Gemuetlichkeit Days is an event whose popularity bridges age groups from young children to the elderly. One of the evening's younger participants was Joey Pupanek, 22 months old. His mother, Nicole Pupanek, said although not a native of Jefferson, she began attending and enjoying Gemuetlichkeit Days five years ago.

“The kids always have fun here. They like the music and the dancing,” she said. “It's a great family event and everyone is very welcoming.”

Gemuetlichkeit Days runs through Sunday with most events at the Jefferson County Fair Park, but other activities, such as bed races and the giant Gemuetlichkeit Parade, held downtown Sunday.

For more information, visit the event's Web site at www.gdays.org.