Your Strassenfest Survival Guide

Are you ready for Strassenfest? It’s just a few weeks away!

“Strassenfest” literally translates as “street party,” and while that’s a decent description, it doesn’t really capture the full excitement of this awesome four-day festival and celebration of our area’s German heritage.

Rides. Carnival games. Pageantry. Unique items for sale. Free face painting, balloon animals, and caricature portraits. Live music. Parades. Hot air balloons. Beer garden. More bratwurst, wiener schnitzel, and sauerkraut than you could possibly consume in a single long weekend (though you might try anyway).

In other words, this family-friendly festival—now in its 40^th year—is packed with great food, entertainment, and tourists from around the region.

Want to get the most out of Strassenfest 2018 without, ahem, going overboard? Check out our survival guide.

Figure Out Which Day(s) You Want to Go

Now, there’s more than enough food, activities, and excitement at Strassenfest to keep you entertained all four days of the festival—and many people do just that!

However, if you’re only planning to swing by for one or two days, or just for a couple of hours, it helps to be “tactical.” While you’re pretty much guaranteed to have a good time no matter when you go, you should make sure to check out the events calendar beforehand to make the absolute most out of your trip downtown.

For example, if you want to check out the Arts Fair, make sure you’re at the Riverwalk on August 4 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. On the other hand, if you’re pumped to here local musicians compete in the third annual guitar pull, you’re going to want to find your seat near the main stage before 7:30 p.m. on August 2!

Most of the big events and competitions do take place on Saturday, August 4, but do check online or call ahead if there’s a particular event you want to make sure you don’t miss!

Dress (Your Feet) for Success

Although we’re sure you can find a place to take a seat if you need to, Strassenfest visitors can expect a lot of walking and standing—and, if the spirit moves, maybe some dancing, too! That means you’re going to want your feet to be as comfortable as possible, and able to withstand the long day without soreness and achiness.

Make sure you wear a comfortable and supportive pair of shoes, along with your orthotics if you have them. The added cushioning and arch support will reduce the wear not only on your feet, but legs and back, too—whether you’re planning to take part in the Saturday morning 5k, one of the long bike tours (20, 50, and 62 mile routes), or just cruise around downtown for a couple of hours.

Leave the flip flops at home, regardless of the weather—not only do they lack any kind of support, but they also provide minimal foot protection for those crowded public spaces.

And sadly, while we’d admire the commitment to “getting in the spirit” of the festival, we can’t recommend Old World wooden clogs either. Some things are best left in the past!

Prepare for the Weather

Let’s play the percentages here. First week of August in Jasper? Odds are pretty good that it’s going to be sunny, hot as blazes, and muggy.

If it breaks that way, you’re definitely going to want to be prepared to deal with the heat and protect your eyes and skin.

Your survival guide here includes:

• Layers as necessary. Check the weather report. If you’re going to be outside for several hours, you might be there through large temperature changes or even a little rain. Make sure you’re prepared so you don’t end up too cold, too hot, or too wet!
• Sunscreen. Apply early, apply often! Remember to put some on at 30 minutes before you go out, and reapply periodically according to the instructions on the label. If it’s a hot one, make sure you go with water-resistant sunscreen, which should hold up better if you perspire a lot.
• Sunglasses. Make sure you use a pair with full UV protection. It’ll protect your eyes from sun damage and reduce eye strain.
• A nice hat. Go for a wide brim so that more of your face and ears are protected, and not just your scalp.
• A bottle of water. You can take one from home, or grab one at the festival. Definitely do remember to drink lots of water (and not just, say, beer) during the day, especially if it’s hot outside.

Check Out All Your Culinary Options BEFORE You Eat

Goodness, the food. There is so much food here.

Of course, if you impulsively follow your nose and/or stomach, you’d probably just stop at the first booth you see and snap up whatever looks the best to you. And it’ll almost certainly be delicious!

But then you head around the corner, and … oh shoot! This looks just as good. Maybe better!

Probably the only downside to Strassenfest is that your stomach (or wallet for that matter) isn’t big enough to sample everything. So you’re going to have to make some tough choices.

We know it’s hard to find the discipline, but allow yourself a good walkthrough to sample all the delicious sights and smells before settling on the schnitzel that’s just right for you. Then when you take that first bite, you’ll know it was meant to be.

Have Fun!

This one’s pretty simple. Enjoy your day! There’s lots to taste, explore, and enjoy. And if you’re smart about how you prepare your mind, body, and feet, you might just make it back home in the evening feeling even better than when you started!

If your feet need a tune-up before the festivities begin, make sure you schedule a time to see Dr. Barry and the team at Family Foot & Ankle Care of Jasper. We’re in the business of keeping your feet healthy and strong so that you and your family can enjoy living life to the fullest!

Give us a call today at (812) 4812-7200.