Opening night festivities recognize Strassenfest's and Jasper's heritage

A few years ago, Laura Grammer and her husband, Paul, were discussing how to add some German heritage back to the Jasper Strassenfest.

“We were driving home from vacation and we were like, ‘We need to do something to get the German back in the Strassenfest,'” she explained adding that they felt the popular street fest had lost some of that tradition and become like every other festival in the state. “What makes Jasper special is the German heritage and that is what the Strassenfest was built on.”

Connecting to those German traditions was important for the couple. These games, dances, and songs were clear connections to the German culture. They saw it as a way to ensure local children remember and grow an appreciation for that German heritage. It also added connections to a not-so-distant past for some of the older generations attending the fest — it isn’t unusual to find a few stepping in front of the stage to dance and sing along.

Over the years, traditional dances and songs had been included in the opening ceremony but in 2019, Laura and Paul with the help of many volunteers created German Heritage Night and added several more traditional German activities during the opening ceremony that continued through the evening.

Local children took part in a kinderchor singing traditional songs. There was a Mai Pole dance in front of the Main Stage — now called the Heritage Stage. Volunteers led the crowd through a “Learn to Dance the Schuhplattler” session teaching the six steps to the traditional Bavarian dance. And there was a special chocolate game called the Schokospiel in which participants took turns rolling dice for turns to unwrap a cellophane-wrapped ball while wearing oven mitts — the prizes were wooden nickels that could be exchanged for special German-themed chocolates created by Chocolate Bliss.

The games were interspersed between remarks from the speakers and dignitaries that traditionally open the four-day festival.

Plans were in the works to include the traditional activities in 2020 but the fest was canceled. This year, the traditional songs, dances, and activities are back but with more opportunities for the crowd to join.

“We are calling it Die Kulturelle Kinderaufführungen (Children’s Cultural Performance),” Laura said.

At 6:45, after the speakers open the festival, about 50 children will begin a series of performances for the crowd. The Willkommen Dance will swing through the Heritage Stage and be followed by a musical bell performance from the Kinderchor. Then, in front of the stage will be the Mai Pole Ribbon Dance and the Schuhplattler Dance.

After the performances, the traditional parade to the Bier Garten to tap the keg will head out from the Heritage Stage but the games and fun will continue at the Heritage Stage. “We’re just trying to split it up and give people more opportunities,” Laura said. “The 21-plus can go to the bier garten and the families can stay and do all the free activities and the free games.”

The remaining crowd will be invited to learn the Schuhplattler and Chicken Dance. This will be followed by a root beer mug holding contest sponsored by Dad’s Root Beer and then, Das Schokospiel (chocolate game).

Finally, there will be the Lãndler Dance Performance from members of the Jasper German Club before Kent Reyling leads the crowd through the Schnitzelbank sing-along. “We’ve made about 20 four-by-four signs and we are going to pull people from the crowd to hold the signs,” Laura said. “As Kent leads them through the song, he will point at them to hold them up.”

According to Laura, this is all to give people more opportunities to take part in these fun traditions and be part of the festivities. “We are trying to get as many of those opportunities for people as possible,” she explained. “The whole thing is to let people experience the German heritage.”

As these events have been added, Laura has received requests to add more that are tied to that heritage. “There is all this stuff, all this history that people want to bring to the table and that has been really, really cool to see,” Laura said.

In addition, the new heritage events have turned Thursday night from an okay night to a packed night. “I have talked to people in the booths and they have told me that Thursday nights have become a great night for them,” Laura explained.

The events also allow for opportunities for children to become involved in something more than just the pageants. Instead of only a few children, teens, and young adults taking part in the pageantry, about 50 kids will also lead and be joined by others during the opening ceremonies. They will carry those memories with them for life and remain connected to the community and the volunteers they worked with to prepare for the festival.

“One of the greatest things about this has been when those kids from a few years ago see me now and they run up talking about how much fun they had taking part in this,” Laura said.

The Jasper Strassenfest kicks off Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Heritage Stage in front of Jasper City Hall. This year’s festival celebrates the recent culture and art-centric developments in the city with the creation of the Cultural Center as well as added artwork around the city.

The 2020 Strassenfest was set to recognize the impact of higher education in the city by celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vincennes University. With the cancellation, this year’s organizers wanted to recognize the impact the university has had on the community. Therefore, a quarter of the proceeds from a half pot will go to the Dubois County Scholastic Excellence Award Scholarship. The scholarship benefits Dubois County students attending VUJ.

Proceeds will also help to provide protection for non-profits involved in the Strassenfest in case of another catastrophic event and a strong financial base for the continuation and growth of the Strassenfestand the Jasper community.

A booth at the fest will have tickets available for purchase, and one winner will be awarded with half the money raised when the final drawing occurs on August 11. As of today, the pot is at about $57,000.

A booklet and map of the events occurring this week can be downloaded here.

Here is a schedule of events.

Thursday

9 a.m. — Strassenfest Community Art Display at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center
9 a.m. — Stein display at the Cultural Center
10 a.m. — Strassenfest exhibit at the Dubois County Museum
11:30 a.m. — Strassenfest: A Look Back at the Cultural Center
5:30 p.m. — Lions Club Box Parade at the Old National Bank 1 DCB Plaza (registration opens at 4:45 p.m.)
5 p.m. — Food, drinks and games booths open
5 p.m. — Carnival rides open
6 p.m. — Bier garten open
6 p.m. — Baby photo contest
6 p.m. — Opening ceremonies
6:30 p.m. — The Balloon Guys
6:30 p.m. — Caricature drawings
6:45 p.m. — Die Kulturelle Kinderauffuhrungen children’s cultural performances
7 p.m. — The Alphen Echos and Chardon Polka Band perform
7 p.m. — WITZ guitar pull
7:10 p.m. — Parade to the bier garten
7:10 p.m. — Learn to dance Schuhplattler and the chicken dance
7:35 p.m. — Dad’s Rootbeer mug holding contest
8 p.m. — Das Schokospiel: A Chocolate Game
8 p.m. — Stein holding contest
8:30 p.m. — Landler dance performance
8:40 p.m. — Schnitzelbank song sing-along
9 p.m. — Log sawing contest
9 p.m. — Free Fallin’: A Tribute to The Music of Tom Petty
10 p.m. — Polka contest
10 p.m. — Chicken dance contest

Friday

9 a.m. — VU Jasper Hot Shot basketball contest (registration begins at 8 a.m.) at Ruxer Student Center Gym
9 a.m. — Strassenfest community art display at the Cultural Center
9 a.m. — Stein display at the Cultural Center
10 a.m. — Alexander Schoolhouse and Schaeffer Barn tour behind the Cultural Center
10 a.m. — Strassenfest exhibit at the Dubois County Museum
10 a.m. — Dubois County Museum store open
11 a.m. — Food, drinks and games booths open
11:30 a.m. — Strassenfest: A Look Back at the Cultural Center
Noon — Strassenfest golf scramble at the Buffalo Trace Golf Course
5 p.m. — Food, drinks and games booths reopen
5 p.m. — Carnival rides open
5:30 p.m. — Steven Wagler performs
6 p.m. — Bier garten opens
6 p.m. — Laura Rose and the Briars perform
6 p.m. — Baby photo contest
6:30 p.m. — Jasper FFA kiddie pedal tractor pull behind the Cultural Center
6:30 p.m. — The Balloon Guys
6:30 p.m. — Caricature drawings
6:30 p.m. — The Alpen Echos and Chardon Polka Band perform
6:30 p.m. — Strassenfest hot air balloon launch at 788 West 12th Ave.
8 p.m. — Born in The USA: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
8 p.m. — Stein holding contest
8:30 p.m. — Emisunshine performs
10 p.m. — Polka contest
10 p.m. — Chicken dance contest

Saturday

8 a.m. — Strassenfest bike ride at the Jasper Parklands (registration starts at 7 a.m.)
8 a.m. — Strassenfest golf scramble at Buffalo Trace
8 a.m. — Wettlauf 5K at Ninth and Main streets (registration starts at 6:30 a.m.)
8 a.m. — Fittogether’s Fitness at the Fest
9 a.m. — Antique Tractor Show at the field near the Schroeder Complex
9 a.m. — Dubois County Motorcycle Club: Jeep, Motorcycle and Car Show
9 a.m.— Jasper RC Flyers Strassenfest fly-in at 1103 South 350 West
9 a.m. — Stein display at the Cultural Center
9:15 a.m. — YMCA’s body flow
9:30 a.m. — Friends of The Arts sculpture dedication at the Cultural Center
10 a.m. — Food, drinks and games booths open
10 a.m. — Alexander Schoolhouse ribbon cutting behind the Cultural Center
10 a.m. — Alexander Schoolhouse and Schaeffer Barn tours behind the Cultural Center
10 a.m. — Trike rennen
10 a.m. — German flag ribbon craft at the Cultural Center
10 a.m. — Strassenfest community art display at the Cultural Center
10 a.m. — Strassenfest exhibit at the Dubois County Museum
10 a.m. — Dubois County Museum store open
10 a.m. — Wine garden open at Dave Buehler Plaza
10 a.m. — Arts and crafts fair at Dave Buehler Plaza
10 a.m. — Precious Blood quilt show
10:45 a.m.— Autolauf (check-in begins at 9:30 a.m.)
11 a.m. — Wings and Chili cook off at the Schroeder Complex (registration begins at 8 a.m.)
11 a.m. — Pet contest at Parker Park
11 a.m. — Dodgeball tournament at the Cabby O’Neill Gym
11 a.m. — Spirit of Jasper Train rides begin
11:30 a.m. — Das Kinderspiel (children’s games)
11:30 a.m. — Strassenfest: A Look Back at the Cultural Center
Noon — St. Joseph Church tour at 1029 Kundeck St.
Noon — Sheephead tournament
1 p.m. — Carnival rides open
1 p.m. — Bier garten open
1 p.m. — The Balloon Guys
1 p.m. — Caricature drawings
1 p.m. — Sparrow and Crandall perform
1 p.m. — Hodgini Gymnastics perform
2 p.m. — Strassenfest golf scramble at Buffalo Trace
2 p.m. — Full Out Tumble and Cheer perform
3 p.m. — Strings Inc. perform
3:45 p.m. — Dance Central Academy of Performing Arts perform
4 p.m. — Holy Family Polka Mass at 950 Church Ave.
5 p.m. — The Alpen Echos and Chardon Polka Band perform
6 p.m. — Baby photo contest
6 p.m. — Talentspiel
6:30 p.m. — Big Bad No Name performs
6:30 p.m.— The Balloon Guys
6:30 p.m. — Caricature drawings
8 p.m.— The Indigos perform
8 p.m. — Stein holding contest
8:30 p.m. — Respect: The Women of Rock ‘N’ Soul perform
10 p.m. — Polka contest
10 p.m. — Chicken dance contest

Sunday

8 a.m. Strassenfest golf scramble at Buffalo Trace
8 a.m. — Precious Blood Quilt Show at 1385 W. Sixth St.
9:30 a.m. — German Heritage Mass at 1029 Kundeck St.
10 a.m. — Dubois County Museum store open
10:30 a.m. — Precious Blood Polka Mass at 1385 W. Sixth St.
Noon — Strassenfest community art display at the Cultural Center
1 p.m. — Strassenfest exhibit at the Dubois County Museum open
1 p.m. — Strassenfest parade