German American Club to hold its first ‘Schlachtfest’
The German American Social Club is set to kick off a year full of festivals this weekend.
The first-ever Schlachtfest will take place on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at the German American Social Club of Cape Coral. Also known as a Sausage and Pork Festival, it is steeped in tradition.
“It’s basically celebrating the Germans’ love for pork and their appreciation for the hog itself,” Susie Zimmer, a spokeswoman for the club, said. “It’s like a Thanksgiving for the hog itself.”
She added that it celebrates the role of pig farming and butcher skills with pork-based cuisine.
The tickets cost $20 per person and include a big meal of roast pork and sausage platter, served with mashed potatoes, gravy and sauerkraut. They can be purchased in advance or day of at the door.
As of Thursday, about 120 tickets had been sold.
“We’re expecting a lot of people to pay at the door,” Zimmer said.
She added that the club is anticipating a turnout of about 400 to 500 people.
At about 2:30 p.m., a procession honoring a recently departed hog will take place. Carried in on a stretcher by bearers wearing lederhosen, the hog will be mourned by women wearing dirndls.
“We’ll have a type of burial situation, where the hog is brought in and mourned,” Zimmer said.
It is to relay regret in losing the hog, while giving thanks for the resulting feast.
“It’s a tongue-in-cheek type of festival,” she added.
The hog will be butchered on site, with portions of it raffled away.
Zimmer noted that the raffle tickets will be two for $1 or an arm’s length for $5.
Live entertainment will be provided by Matthias, out of West Palm Beach.
“He’s very high energy,” she said. “Good dancing, traditional German type of music.”
Dancing and singing along will be encouraged.
Organizers encouraged the public to come out and enjoy the event.
“It’s another way that the German American club wants to show the community our German traditions,” Zimmer said. “It’s new, it’s different, it’s something they may not have seen before.”
The club has a lineup of other events scheduled for 2017, including:
* Jan. 28: Maskenball from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. A masquerade ball, this year’s theme is “Downtown Abbey Meets Great Gatsby.” Music will be provided by the Alex Meixner Band. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $6 for members and $10 for guests; they can be purchased in advance or at the door.
* Feb. 19: Gartenfest in the outside Bavarian Gardens
* Feb. 25: Prinzenball
* March 4: German Music Show
* March 19: Gartenfest in the outside Bavarian Gardens
In addition, an International Festival is being planned for April for the first time.
“We are going to be offering a lot this year,” Zimmer said.
For more information, call 239-283-1400 or visit online at: www.gasc-capecoral.com/.
The German American Social Club of Cape Coral is at 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road.