It was a rainy start to the 2022 Jasper Strassenfest. Bob Bleemel, Strassenfest chair, said that as the rain was pouring down around 4 p.m., he reached out to retired deputy director of the Dubois County Emergency Management and operator of the Weather Spotters website in Dubois County, Gary Fritz, about whether they should cancel the opening ceremony. According to Bob, Fritz told him the rain would slack off to a drizzle around 6 p.m. and then be done before 7 p.m. Fritz was right. Photos by Matthew Crane.
Fritz (not Gary) attempted to stay dry before the opening ceremony began.
Girl Scouts Alana Meyer, 11, (holding the American Flag), Abby Ruschau, 13, (middle), and Karagen Sutton, 10, (State flag) practiced the flag ceremony prior to the opening of the 2022 Jasper Strassenfest.
The Kinderchor performed as the rain began to slack off during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Jasper Strassenfest.
Children performed the Mai Pole Dance during the German Heritage Night celebration at the 2022 Jasper Strassenfest after the opening ceremony Thursday evening.
Father John Boeglin greeted festival-goers as he walked with the parade to the bier garten for the annual tapping of the keg Thursday evening.
Dana Welp played her accordion to provide the musical accompaniment with the parade Thursday evening. For the past several years, State Senator Mark Messmer would lead the parade with his trumpet, but due to the special legislative session, he was unable to attend Thursday’s celebration.
Children will perform at the Glockenspiel each evening of the Strassenfest at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. on the hour.
Birnie Jeffries and his daughter, Natalie Combs, danced in the bier garten after the annual tapping of the keg during the opening of the 2022 Jasper Strassenfest.
Kent Reyling led a group of volunteers through the Schnitzelbank song in front of the new Glockenspiel. The group held signs with the list of German words the song slowly works through as it builds to a crescendo.
Kids took turns attempting to sink the golf ball through the obstacle for the Jasper Kiwanis Riley fundraiser.
The sun began to peak through the clouds around 7:30 Thursday evening.
The festival has been moved from its traditional location around Jasper Square to Fourth Street due to the construction going on for the redevelopment and updates to the downtown. It may be held in the same location in 2023.
Abe Hoffman, 11, of Jasper, struggled at the end of the mug-holding contest Thursday evening.
Here is more information and schedules for this year’s fest.
Wow so many breathtaking photos this is really impressive…..have seen many beautiful Stfests, but here it looks better than ever! Amazing work, thank you from someone who could not attend this year.
Wow so many breathtaking photos this is really impressive…..have seen many beautiful Stfests, but here it looks better than ever! Amazing work, thank you from someone who could not attend this year.