Muenster Chamber of Commerce will not host Germanfest after split over beer sales
The Muenster Chamber of Commerce has announced it will no longer host the city’s biggest festival.
“The Chamber felt it was in the best interest of all our vendors, volunteers, and most especially our guests at Germanfest, to let all know the Chamber has decided not to host Germanfest 2025,” a news release from the chamber said.
The chamber has hosted the event for the past 48 years.
In April, one of the festival’s primary sponsors, the Muenster Jaycees — who for years provided labor and beer —held a competing festival called “Party in the Park” on the dates — the last full weekend in April.
“This decision was made with considerable thought and much angst. For most of us, it has become a significant part of our lives that will be greatly missed,” the chamber’s statement said.
“The decision by another organization is shocking and saddening, we need more time to grasp the situation,” Jared Flusche, president of the Muenster Jaycees, said.
“Party in the park” was birthed out of a contract dispute between the Chamber and the Jaycees on how much of the beer sales the Jaycees and the Chamber would split.
The split caused a rift in the community of just under 1,700 and drew the attention of national and regional media.
“The Chamber would like to thank all who have in some way participated with us over the years. especially would like to thank the founders who had the foresight to start this tradition and remind of us our heritage,” the statement said.
The statement concludes by saying “The Chamber would also like to thank most essentially of all the guests, both local and wherever they may have come from to celebrate with us. A huge THANK YOU too.”
This story was originally published June 24, 2024 at 5:41 PM.
