Slipstream - June 2014

April Sunday Saturday Drive: Muenster Germanfest
By Nikolaus Klemmer
Photos by Linda Bambina and the Author
The Department of Sunday
Drives is reporting on the first
Saturday Drive in almost three
years, when we drove out to Rancho
Sereno in May 2011. This time we set
out to the 38th Annual Germanfest in
Muenster, TX. Tourmeister John Harvey
had organized what proved to be
the largest turnout so far for any of our Drives.
their own school district and
hospital, and throw one of the
biggest parties in Texas every
year during the last weekend in
April (mark your calendar).
This three-day festival attracts
thousands to mouthwatering
German Bratwurst, Schnitzel,
Pretzels, Kraut, hearty cheeses
and homemade breads, Apfelstrudel,
cakes, and pies. Bavarian
beer is on tap and can be
had in a Masskrug. “Guten Appetit.”
Festivities on the fairgrounds
included merry-go-rounds, exciting
rides, Naegelschlagen,
Ring-the-Bell, and lots of music
Tourmeister John
Harvey, proud
of the turnout
Lining up for the fun ride to Muenster
An unbelievable 91(!) cars and 150(!) participants
gathered in Flower Mound, in beautiful, sunny Texas
spring weather to get ready for a three-run-group,
70-mile adventure on nice twisty back roads north
of the Metroplex towards Muenster. Go Mavericks!
Muenster is a unique, small (pop. 1600) German
community in North Texas. It was founded in 1889 by
German Catholic settlers along the Missouri-Kansas-
Texas railroad. German was the main language and
was spoken exclusively until the 1930s. The community
remains closely tied to their heritage, as can be seen in
the architecture and spirit of the town. They maintain
Muenster Main Street with
Metric Century Bike Ralliers
in a “Tanzhalle” and the “Texas Stage.” Other activities
included a 5k and 15k Germanfest Fun Run, and a
Sausage-and-Rib Cook-Off.
Photo by Sue Crimm
A German flag in every car
The rest stop proved challenging
with so many cars to park
16 June