Schmeckfest offers food, fun

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FREEMAN -- Freeman’s popular Schmeckfest, in its 55th year, starts today and Saturday on the Freeman Academy campus and continues March 22-23.

Described by event publicity as “a festival of German handicraft and culinary arts and musical theater,” it is meant to celebrate the “Germans from Russia” heritage of the Freeman community. Schmeckfest includes a full three-course meal served family style to 1,000 guests each night. It also includes a theatrical production, which this year is the renowned musical “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Though no Schmeckfest activities will be held on March 21, there will be an additional showing of the musical that day.

In addition to the traditional meal and musical production, Schmeckfest includes “demonstrations and displays of ethnic crafts and culinary skills,” like sausage making and a community art display. There will also be a bake sale and foods to sample, and the Freeman Academy Auxiliary will provide free admission to the Heritage Hall Museum complex. The displays and the Schmeckfest Country Kitchen are open 1-7 p.m. each day of the festival.

Proceeds from Schmeckfest go to Freeman Academy.

Meals are served from 4 to 7 p.m. and are available by advance reservation only. “Fiddler on the Roof” starts at 8 p.m. each day it shows; reserved seats can be purchased in advance, or general admission at the door. Tickets for the meal and the musical are available by visiting www.schmeckfest.com, though limited seating remains for most days.

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