ODESSA — Odessa will be hosting the 45th Annual Deutschesfest this weekend.

The Deutschesfest is Odessa's celebration of its German-Russian heritage, and will feature over three days of food, football, and music. The festivities kick off on Thursday with the Pre-Fest, including the German Bier Garten, open from 7-11 p.m., and conclude Sunday, when the Bier Garten closes at 10 p.m.

You can start your weekend with a full belly; Girl Scouts Troop 3362 will be hosting a pancake feed from 7-10 a.m. If that doesn't fill you, you can get a plate at the German Food Circus at Fest Platz from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. You can let the food settle while you watch the Odessa-Harrington Titans compete in "The Sausage Bowl" at Finney Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Saturday features a full day of events, including an arts and crafts display at Old Town Hall, the Odessa High School vendor street fair, and a horseshoe tournament at the east end of Finney Field.

Chiefs Bar & Grill will host a breakfast buffet all three days from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Following breakfast, various religious services will be held at the local churches, and the Deutschesfest will conclude when the Bier Garten closes at 10 p.m.

The Deutschesfest is sponsored by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce.

For more information and a full schedule of events, go to www.deutschesfest.com.