For More Than 160 Years, This Small Town Has Hosted The Longest-Running Festival In Minnesota

In 1861, a group of German immigrants in Carver County, Minnesota were nostalgic for their homeland and some of the culture they had left behind. One man came up with the idea of gathering of folks together (at the time, men) for a picnic and traditional songs. That first gathering eventually became Stiftungsfest, and more than 160 years later, Stiftungsfest is the oldest festival in Minnesota that’s still going.

As Stiftungsfest evolved, the community of Norwood Young America became its host.

This region of the state - where you can find other towns like Cologne and Hamburg - has a deep German heritage that is celebrated year-round.

In Norwood Young America, the center of it all is the Willkommen Heritage Center…

and the Willkommen Park and Pavillion.

And every year, over the last weekend in August, the latter is ground zero for the region’s biggest German cultural celebration: Stiftungsfest.

At first glance, the celebration looks a lot like any other small town summer festival in Minnesota.

Except, you’ll find far more folks in dirndls and lederhosen than you might at other community celebrations.

The Stiftungsfest parade is held once every five years, so participants have plenty of time to prepare.

And, as you might expect at a celebration of German culture, there’s plenty of beer to be found.

And there’s also plenty of polka-ing being practiced, with a solid line-up of live music throughout the festival.

Here'a taste of Mollie B. and Squeezebox with Ted Lange performing at Stiftungsfest, thanks to YouTuber

Breitenfeldt100:

So, pack your best stein and head out to Norwood Young America this August! The festival draws a crowd, so if you’re hoping to stay in the area, be sure to book your accommodations well in advance. I always find it to be a pretty fun time - and I don’t even own lederhosen! Want to keep the German festival barrel rolling into the fall? The be sure to visit to New UIm and Minnesota’s largest Oktoberfest celebration a few weeks later.

Have you attended Stiftungsfest? Tell us about your experience in the comments.