Das Festival of Kendall returns for 3rd year
Dachshund races, plenty of music and beer steins are all part of the third Das Festival of Kendall opening Friday to celebrate Boerne’s German heritage.
For the first time, the event also recognizes three queen candidates joining a lineup that includes egg tossers, watermelon eaters and more, organizers said.
Das Festival, in its second year at Main Plaza, picks up where Boerne Berges Fest left off after a run of 54 years. The festival continues with the tradition of hosting the event on Father’s Day, every third weekend in June, and runs through Sunday.
The fest also serves as a fundraiser for charities — this year helping the Boerne Blaze Special Olympics program and Transformation House, which addresses a growing need for transitional housing for women and children impacted by domestic violence in Kendall County, planners said Things get underway the night of June 19 with queen coronations, bands, brews and food.
“Friday is 5 p.m. to midnight with the pageant at 6 p.m.,” said Veronica Brown, festival organizer. “There’s live music all night, food, vendors, beer and it’s all open to the public.”
Friday night’s bands are The Toman Brothers, taking the stage at 7:15 p.m., and Ben McPeak at 9:30 p.m.
The festival gears up again June 20 after the Das Festival parade, which proceeds from points north through downtown along the Hill Country Mile.
Once the parade wraps, the festival truly begins, said organizers.
Saturday starts the family- fun activities, including egg toss, wheelbarrow races, dachshund races, sack races, and contests for watermelon eating and beerstein
holding.
“We really want people to understand after the parade, to walk to Main Plaza, because it’s not just the parade,” Brown said. “I feel like a lot of people don’t understand it’s not just a parade or a Father’s Day parade, it’s a parade to kick off Das Festival.”
Saturday’s musical lineup features The Lost Mule Band at 7:15 p.m. and the Staudt Brothers at 9:30 p.m.
A side feature is “reunion weekend,” including the Boerne High School Class of 2006’s 20th get-together.
“That used to be a tradition. Our goal is to have all the high school classes have their reunions,” said Michael Ethridge, a Das Festival committee member. “Our 10th-year reunion was at Berges Fest.”
Brown added she appreciates the observance.
“My 20-year reunion was on Father’s Day. My 10-year reunion was on Father’s Day weekend,” Brown said. “We want to get back to that tradition.”
Last year’s festival, Brown said, had “magic.”
“Everything came together. People were congratulating us, people enjoyed themselves and it was just a magical time,” she said.
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There’s live music all night, food, vendors, beer and it’s all open to the public.
— Veronica Brown, organizer
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