Excited about the annual Gluckstadt Germanfest? It's not happening this year. See why

Kiara Fleming, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger
·2 min read
2

The last Sunday of September each year has been the date of the annual St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gluckstadt's Germanfest for the past 30 years.

This year, however, organizers recently announced via a Facebook post that after 30 years, the church will not hold its annual Germanfest due to growth in the city that was incorporated in 2021.

The announcement was made via a public post on the Gluckstadt Germanfest Facebook page by Gluckstadt resident Kerry Minninger:

Gluckstadt Germanfest | NO GERMANFEST 2023

"We would love to thank everyone who has supported our Germanfest over the past 30 years! Due to the tremendous growth in the city of Gluckstadt, we have decided to take a year off in order to evaluate how we can update our festival and share our heritage with the surrounding community."

Minninger declined further comment deferring to a St. Joseph Catholic Church spokesperson, who also declined to comment for this story to elaborate on the decision.

Thousands attend Germanfest each year on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gluckstadt. This year's event has been canceled due to growth in the newly incorporated city.
Thousands attend Germanfest each year on the grounds of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gluckstadt. This year's event has been canceled due to growth in the newly incorporated city.

The Facebook post was quickly viewed numerous times with nearly 100 people posting reactions including emojis expressing surprise and sadness.

Plenty of comments accumulated as well with many bemoaning the loss of not only the festival but also the famous sauerkraut that is sold as part of the event.

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Buzz Howard, right, of Gluckstadt, and Eddie Belvedresi, of Madison, pound shredded cabbage to make sauerkraut at St. Joseph Catholic Church in this 2016 file photo. This year's event has been canceled due to growth in the newly incorporated city.
Buzz Howard, right, of Gluckstadt, and Eddie Belvedresi, of Madison, pound shredded cabbage to make sauerkraut at St. Joseph Catholic Church in this 2016 file photo. This year's event has been canceled due to growth in the newly incorporated city.

"I'm going to miss getting the Sauerkraut!" Theresa Layman commented on the post.

Others simply expressed sadness.

"My family and I will truly miss it. please keep us posted when it will return. Thanks," one user calling herself MsTee TeeBrowneyez posted with a crying emoji.

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Still others posted suggesting that when the event returns perhaps it should be held in October when the weather is cooler than it is in September.

"Tragedy! But, if you want to improve it, consider having the next one in October when things cool off," commenter Mike Morgan posted.

One of the most popular items at GermanFest is sauerkraut. This year's event has been canceled due to growth in the newly incorporated city.
One of the most popular items at GermanFest is sauerkraut. This year's event has been canceled due to growth in the newly incorporated city.

Know an event coming up? Reporter Kiara Fleming can be reached via email KDFleming@jackson.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Gluckstadt MS will not have its annual Germanfest this year