EVERETT – Bands, beer and bratwurst – it’s all part of this weekend’s Everett Sausage Festival, an annual homage to Germany’s popular exports.
With 29 years of experience, volunteers at Immaculate Conception-Our Lady of Perpetual Help School have found the perfect combination of music, games and a secret sauerkraut recipe that keeps area residents coming back each year for more.
With carnival rides, nonstop bingo, a big-ticket raffle and the region’s most popular bands, the Sausage Festival is hopping every year, rain or shine, festival board member Frauna Hoglund said.
Each year, the festival brings in $65,000 to $100,000 for the school. This year, 25,000 people are expected. Admission is free.
The festival, on school property at 2619 Cedar St. in Everett, begins at noon today and continues until midnight. Hours are noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
A free shuttle bus will run from Everett Station’s north parking lot continuously during festival hours.
Read on for a listing of best bets for eyes, ears and taste buds.
Bavarian dinner haus: It’s a full-meal-deal, where sausage smothered with sauerkraut, a baked potato, a rye roll, milk or coffee and a double chocolate chip cookie can be had for $8. Seniors and kids eat for $5. The sausage and kraut is so good, Hoglund said, that festivalgoers say they come just for that. Packaged sausage from the same maker can be purchased separately.
Farmers market: The 25th Street Market on Broadway has run this popular stop at the Sausage Festival for years. Fresh produce and plants are available for sale.
25-foot climbing wall: The festival featured a climbing wall two years ago, and got such rave reviews that planners brought it back.
Bavarian beer garden: The garden is the site of the unofficial, everyone’s-invited reunion of Immaculate Conception grads, Hoglund said. Bands include The Penguins, Freddy Pink Band and Expertease.
Kids games: Everyone wins a prize. Booths will feature a duck dunk, balloon toss and football throw. A sweets shop will churn out cotton candy. This event will be crowded; planners have already pre-sold game coupons.
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