Willkommen zu Worthington: Crailsheim guests arrive for 75th anniversary celebration
Jun. 8—WORTHINGTON — More than 70 individuals from Worthington's sister city, Crailsheim, Germany, arrived in two separate groups Tuesday to spend the next week here in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the sister city partnership.
The group includes 45 members of the Crailsheim Stadtkapelle band, who will perform during intermission of tonight's 7 p.m. band concert in Chautauqua Park. The band will also take the stage at 2 p.m. Saturday during the Worthington Windsurfing Regatta and Music Festival, and perform at 1 p.m. Sunday at Worthington's Memorial Auditorium.
"Everybody but the mayor will be hosted by local families," said Jason Johnson, president of Worthington-Crailsheim International. "It's always hard for people to open up their homes — especially in the times that we've been in — but it will be a wonderful experience for the host families."
Planning for the 75th anniversary celebration began last fall, shared Johnson, noting that the committee wanted to produce a special book to commemorate the anniversary and recognize all of the individuals who have taken part in the student exchange program between the two cities.
The result is a 132-page, coffee-table style book packed with historical accounts and photographs of the partnership's beginnings, the story on the World Brotherhood Award, photographs from the 70th anniversary celebration in Crailsheim in 2017, and responses from nearly every individual selected for the exchange program between 1956 and 2020.
"(The book) was created with the idea that this event was going to take place and we wanted to celebrate 75 years of the exchange and friendship," Johnson said. "Some great stories came about and it was great to hear what all of the past exchange students are doing."
The Globe was tasked with digging through its archives for stories and photographs, and connected with nearly all past exchange students seeking current photographs, biographical information and a request that they share some of their fondest memories of their exchange year.
"The response was overwhelming, for sure," Johnson said of the exchange student submissions, most of which include recent photographs. "We really need to thank (Julie Buntjer) and Roberta (Fultz) and The Globe for doing most of the work."
The committee ordered 500 copies of the book, which are available for purchase at the Nobles County Historical Society in downtown Worthington. Glimpses of the book will be shared online for members only at
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In addition to the special edition book, The Globe produced a commemorative pin to mark the 150th anniversary of the city of Worthington and the 75th anniversary of its partnership with Crailsheim.
"The idea for the pins came from John Nordell. John collects lapel pins, and he wanted to have one that celebrated both Worthington's 150th anniversary, and 75 years of the sister-city partnership with Crailsheim," shared Fultz, the Globe's Advertising Manager. "I thought it was a great idea! We've got a lot to celebrate this year, and a lot of city festivals and events coming up. What a great opportunity to get everyone involved."
The Globe's graphics manager, Jessica Pass, designed the pin, which features the Worthington and Crailsheim bridge beam sculpture. There were 500 pins ordered, and by the time they arrived, more than half had already been pre-sold.
"Five area hospitality businesses volunteered to join in the celebration — Forbidden Barrel Brewing, the Worthington Area YMCA, Hickory Lodge Bar & Grill, Lupita's Mexican Restaurant, and the Worthington VFW are all offering discounts and unique offers to people who wear the pin on festival days for the rest of the year," shared Fultz. "We'll continue to promote their deals and those festival days in The Globe, so keep an eye out!
"We truly couldn't do this alone," she added. "With Forward Worthington's assistance, we were able to promote the lapel pin project across the entire state."
Five other businesses also sponsored the project — Mike Woll Investment Office, Benson Funeral Home, Worthington Monument, Southwest Hearing Technologies and First State Bank Southwest.
"I've certainly never made a lapel pin before, but it's been a lot of fun," Fultz said. "I'm putting it on my baseball cap for the Regatta. I'm glad we get to make something unique and memorable for our community!"
With the planning for this year's 75th anniversary celebration beginning last fall, Johnson said the committee searched for tour options that would be of interest to the German guests, yet also offer plenty of time to relax and make new friends or reconnect with old friends.
On their itinerary while they are visiting, the Crailsheim group will tour the Round Lake Winery and have a wine tasting and meal there. They will also tour the Historic Dayton House and the Nobles County Historical Society. A visit to Forbidden Barrel Brewery is also planned. The remainder of the time is free to shop, attend Worthington's Windsurfing Regatta and Music Festival and spend time with their host families and friends.
"We're very excited to have everybody come and just reconnect with people that they haven't seen for a few years or several years in some cases," Johnson said. "To celebrate 75 years of this program, even the German consulate is coming for the event."
The German consulate will be on hand for tonight's band concert and program at Chautauqua Park. The event begins at 7 p.m.
"Thank you to everybody who's given — whether it be through their time or donations — to make this program thrive for 75 years," Johnson said. "It's the oldest sister city relationship in the country, and it's something we, as Worthington, are proud of."
