ODESSA — It’s time to break out the lederhosen and fill the steins, as the 53rd annual Deutschesfest takes over Odessa on Sept. 19-22. 

“Last year we had probably 7,500, 10,000 (attendees), somewhere in there,” said Odessa Chamber of Commerce President Matt Roberson. “It gets busy for three days.” 

That’s a lot of people for a town whose population was just short of 900 at the last census. Deutschesfest is one of the largest German festivals in the state, and Odessa comes by it honestly. The town was established in the late 19th century by Germans who had been driven out of their settlements in Russia’s Volga River valley.  

“We strive to keep it as authentic as we can,” Roberson said. “That’s from talking to everybody in town, saying ‘This is what my grandpa would say, or my grandma would say.’ There’s a lot of community input on how we do things here, and I think that’s how we keep it authentic.” 

Part of the authenticity comes from the food. Various churches and community organizations will put out a taste of the old country: cabbage rolls and pies from Heritage Church, caramel apples and hot buttered corn from Future Farmers of America, apple strudel from Christ Lutheran Church and kraut runzas from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  

“They all do their own booths, so no one's stepping on anybody's toes,” Roberson said. “So, if you want a sausage, you get it from this booth. If you want a kraut runza or cabbage roll, you go to different booths. If you want something to drink, you go to the other booth.” 

And no German feast would be complete without lots of beer to wash it all down with. Deutschesfest’s Biergarten is open every day with a selection of beers, including several offerings from Rocky Coulee Brewing, just up the street. There are also other beers, imported and domestic, and a selection of wines as well. 

There’s also plenty to do in between beers and kraut runzas, according to Deutschesfest’s website. Thursday there’s sidewalk chalk art and tricycle and bed races. Friday is the Sausage Bowl, when the Odessa High School Tigers play on their home football field, this year against Waterville. 

“That is the most attended football game we have here, and that's saying something because we've won state countless times,” Roberson said. "But everyone comes back to Odessa for Fest. So, all the people that have left Odessa, they come back, and they go to the football game. It's just like they were here 40 years ago, when they were in high school and walking up and down the sidelines.” 

The highlight of Saturday’s festivities is the parade on First Avenue, first a kiddie parade and then one for the adults. Sunday has various church services, including an outdoor service conducted by the Odessa Ministerial Association. 

And to keep the mood up, there’s music on two stages throughout the four-day event, including some homegrown bands and some from out of town, but especially showcasing the Oom Pas and Mas, Odessa’s polka band. 

All of this adds up to a well-rounded German experience, Roberson said.

“(People) can come they can get some really good food, enjoy some really good music and a small-town atmosphere,” he said. 

  

    Bed races on First Avenue kick off Odessa’s Deutschesfest, which is Sept. 19-22 this year.
  

  

    The Odessa Tigers marching band makes its way through downtown Odessa in the 1984 Deutschesfest parade. The event has been drawing crowds to this small town since 1971.