Annual festival offers German food, music

FREEMAN — The smell of ethnic German food and the sound of tradition floated through Freeman Academy over the weekend at the 52nd annual Schmeckfest in Freeman, a festival of tasting to benefit Freeman Academy.

The traditional event annually features a multi-course German meal and a community-run musical. This year’s musical was “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” written by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice.

In Sterling Hall, attendees could see demonstrations on how to make the ethnic foods. Among those demonstrations was one given by Freeman Academy English teacher Susan Schrag, who demonstrated how to make poppy seed rolls. Schrag has been helping out with Schmeckfest for 35 years.

“When you get started in this community you end up always being in Schmeckfest,” she said. “No moss should ever gather on your feet here — there’s a lot to do.”

Schrag said Schmeckfest is important to the community because it celebrates the history of its people.

“Many people grew up with these types of food so it’s just a treat because they either don’t know how to make them anymore or they remember their grandmother making them,” she said. “They come and remember the smell and they just love it.”

Freeman Academy Auxiliary President Deb Beier said she is happy with how the event went this year. The two-weekend event wrapped up Saturday.

“Sales have been going really well. We have sold out for the meal and just have a few general admission seats for the musical this weekend,” she said.

Beier, along with many other Schmeckfest volunteers, attended school at Freeman Academy.

“It’s a good benefit for the school — it’s just a big family gathering.”

Donning customized Tshirts that read “20th Anniversary Hanson-Mogen Schmeck-Trek to Schmeckfest,” John Mogen and 19 of his friends and family were having a great time during the meal.

“For our 20th anniversary of coming to Schmeckfest, we have 20 people here tonight,” he said. “I love the family feeling that you get here. You see the same people every year.”

Tags: news, freeman, schmeckfest