South Dakota is a vast melting pot that is made up of countless cultures with varying backgrounds, beginning with the Native Americans who first lived in the area and followed by the European settlers who followed suit in the 19th century. One of these groups of European settlers that make up much of today’s SoDak heritage are the Mennonites, who will soon be sharing their love of both the state and their culture at the annual Schmeckfest:

Taking place on March 20th, 21st, 27th, and 28th, 2020, Schmeckfest is a yearly South Dakota tradition that celebrates not only the Mennonite culture but the entire community of Freeman. 
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Celebrating its 62nd year, Schmeckfest, or "festival of tasting" in German, began during the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Freeman Junior College Women's Auxiliary. It was to consist of Hutterish, Swiss, and Low German dishes for a group of 200 but brought in a whopping 1,000 attendees. 
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Since that first year (1959), Schmeckfest has continued to morph into the highly-anticipated festival that it is today, which now consists of not only delicious European food but many unique events as well. 
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What can you expect to find at Schmeckfest? The four-day festival begins and ends with the famous cuisine, which is served buffet style and includes soups, homemade bread, potatoes, sausage, and more. 
Schmeckfest Facebook

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Please note: The maximum amount of meals sold each day is 1,000, so be sure to get your tickets in advance on Schmeckfest's website.
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In addition to the food, Schmeckfest now offers even more things to see and do, including craft demonstrations, historical presentions, and even cooking classes! 
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As if you needed another reason to attend, Schmeckfest also boasts a yearly show, with this year's production being the hit musical "Matilda." 
Schmeckfest Facebook
Schmeckfest takes place on the Freeman Academy campus in Freeman. 
Schmeckfest Facebook

Do you know of another festival in SoDak that we should feature? You can let us know about it here. For even more of our favorite Mount Rushmore State events, check out these 10 Fun-Filled South Dakota Festivals You Can’t Miss Out On.

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748 S Main St, Freeman, SD 57029, USA