Germanfest celebrates history, heritage

The immigration of Germans into the Topeka area began in the mid-1700s with an invitation by Catherine the Great of Russia for citizens of her native Germany to settle in sparsely developed areas around the Volga and Karaman Rivers in Russia. In addition to free land, she offered perks including freedom from taxes and from serving in the Russian military.

For more than a century, the German settlers lived in peace and prosperity. That changed in 1871, when Czar Alexander II revoked the exemption from military service. That led many of the German immigrants to seek out a new land, and in 1875, the first of them set out for Kansas, according to the Kansas State Historical Society.

Although Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish's Germanfest celebration began only a little over 40 years ago, it continues to celebrate the history and culture of the Volga Germans who migrated from Russia to Kansas in the 1800s with many settling in the Topeka area. Not only is there a large variety of German foods available at the event — many with a Russian influence — there are also many craft items celebrating German heritage.

The Rev. Tim Haberkorn, pastor of Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, answered questions about this year’s event.

Could you give me a little history of Germanfest and tell how it has changed over the years?

Germanfest started about 44 years ago as an ice cream social for the parish. Just ice cream and hot dogs were served at that time, but it was an opportunity to get the parish members together to celebrate family and faith. As time continued, it eventually grew into Germanfest as it is today. Besides being a celebration of our faith and parish family, it became a celebration of a broader image of family and expanded to include those who have a connection through their heritage as well as their faith.

Where and when will this year’s Germanfest take place?

Sponsored by Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, Germanfest will be held June 1 and 2 at Sacred Heart Church at 312 N.E. Freeman. It begins with a celebration of faith at an outdoor Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday. After Mass, the celebration continues and gets into high gear with food and dancing: The Chardon Polka band from Ohio will play Saturday evening from 7 to 11 p.m. and again on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine.

What is the purpose of Germanfest?

The funds raised at Germanfest mainly support Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish and its different programs including Holy Family School. Since Sacred Heart School consolidated with Our Lady of Guadalupe School to form Holy Family School, only the preschool is located at Our Lady of Guadalupe; the other classes are all located at Sacred Heart. Our students have the benefit of learning about and celebrating two different cultures. Some of the money raised at the Fiesta Mexicana also helps support the school.

Is there any charge to attend?

There is no admission fee to attend Germanfest.

One of the big draws to Germanfest is the food. What menu items can attendees expect to find there?

There will be a partial menu on Saturday. That menu will include homemade German sausage, German slaw, German potato salad, homemade dumplings with green beans and ham, krautstrudel, and bierocks, which have a Russian influence. All food will be served outside on Saturday. Sunday’s menu will include all of those, plus sauerbraten, noodles with chicken and sage balls, and also fried chicken and gravy. On Sunday, the food will be served both inside and outside.

What are some of the other activities and /or entertainment that will be found at this year’s event?

We have expanded the activities this year. In addition to the usual children’s inflatables and carnival games, there will also be all kinds of crafts such as beautiful woodworking, homemade quilts and sewing items available for purchase. There will also be silent and live auctions and new this year will be a mobile video games theater. We’ll also have drawings for a Roomba i7 robot vacuum, a Ring wireless home security, a $200 Regal movie theater gift card, an X-Box One X, a Yeti Hopper Two cooler and tumblers, and three beautiful handmade quilts. There will also be a $10,000 cash drawing.

I understand one of the activities is a race. What is the entry fee for this? Where and when does it take place, and where does one register for it?

The 5K run/walk Brat Trot will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday June 1. It will start in the Sacred Heart parking lot and wind through Oakland. The $30 registration fee includes a T-shirt, snacks and bratwurst. Those wanting to take part can register at tinyurl.com/2019BratTrot.

Anything else you would like to add?

I need to put in a plug for Sacred Heart as this is its 100 year anniversary. St. Joseph’s parish began in 1887, and when it grew too large, Sacred Heart was started in 1919. We’re now one parish with two churches. I also want to thank our corporate sponsors and invite everyone to come to this year’s Germanfest.

Carolyn Kaberline is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at carolyn.kaberline@gmail.com.

GERMANFEST

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 1, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Where: Sacred Heart Church, 312 N.E. Freeman

Information: www.sacredheartstjosephcatholic.org