13th annual Bestfest

“This will be our 13^th year of Bestfest. We feel like after ten-plus years, we’ve got a great day festival with the support of many. We’ve been blessed with good weather and great festival goers for the last few years, and we’re hoping this year will be no different,” said event chairman John Eilers.

“We’re proud that we’ve become known as a family-friendly event. Mom & Dad are still able to enjoy great Texas sausage with some of the best craft beers around while the kids can run around and have a good time” Eilers said, adding, “It’s a unique event that families can enjoy together.”

Beginning at 11 a.m., the entry fee purchases all the sausage, sauerkraut and German potatoes individuals can eat. Tea and other drinks will be available for purchase including beer, water, soft drinks and wine. A selection of craft beers will be available for purchase, giving those attending the opportunity to find their favorite beer to go along with the sausage of their choice.

The event features sausage products from Opa’s Smoked Meats of Fredericksburg, Slovacek Sausage and Kiolbassa and beer offerings from breweries including Altstadt Brewery, Real Ale Brewing Company, St. Arnold’s Brewing Company, Spoetzel Brewing Company among others.

Live polka music will be provided throughout the afternoon by Off the Grid and Fritz Hodde and The Fabulous Six.

“Bob Appel will return as our evening entertainment,” Eilers said. “Everyone has enjoyed Bob and his band for the last two years, and we’re happy to have him back for a great evening of country music for dancing.”

Activities for kids will include pumpkin painting, piñatas and other games.

With the opening of deer hunting season only days after the event, Bestfest-goers will have a number of opportunities to win hunting-related prizes, including the night’s final drawing for a camo-colored 2023 4x4 Kawasaki Mule 4010 Trans.

The event also includes a “21-Gun Salute” in which a selection of at least 21 shotguns, rifles and handguns will be given away. Tickets for these items are $20 and will be available for purchase before the event in Fredericksburg. If tickets remain, the tickets will also be available for purchase on the day of the event. There will also be drawings for other outdoor and hunting-related items.

Proceeds from Bestfest are used for charitable giving of Knights of Columbus Council 9765. Since the inception of Bestfest, the council has allocated money to help sponsor various local organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Heart of the Hills/MOM Center, the Hill Country Community Needs Council, the Golden Hub Senior Citizens Center, Fredericksburg Academic Boosters, Fredericksburg Food Pantry, the Boys & Girls Club of the Texas Hill Country, St. Vincent De Paul, New Horizons and the Nebo Wounded Warrior Project. They have also donated to St. Mary’s Church ministries such as St. Mary’s School and Adopt-A-Family Christmas programs. The council provides scholarships for college-bound Gillespie County students. In addition, the council also aims to support young men in priestly formation, young men and women in the religious life as well as college Catholic center ministries.