Wurst, Brass Festivals celebrate Amana heritage

AMANA — The Amana Colonies are set to sizzle this June with The Amana Colonies Wurst Festival and the Wurst Brass Festival.

These celebrations of heritage, community and flavor promise a weekend packed with culinary delights, musical performances, and family-friendly fun.

The annual Wurst Festival. June 14-15 at the Amana Market Barn, celebrates the German tradition of making sausages.

Visitors will find local sausage vendors, beer, drinks, desserts and sides.

Judges will select the winners for the Best in Wurst and Weirdest Wurst. Attendees will select the people’s choice winner.

Voted Best New Festival in Iowa, The Wurst Festival will also feature the “Wurst Dog in Eastern Iowa” races featuring local dachshunds.

The Musskrugstemmen competition will test the participants’ strengh, and the Kinderplatz will host family-friendly activities.

In the same weekend, the Amana Colonies are the site of the inaugural Wurst Brass Festival by Iowa Brass in the Festhalle Barn.

Sounds of trumpets, trombones and tubas will fill the air a block from Wurst Festival.

The musical extravaganza showcases the talent of brass bands from across the region.

Visitors can enjoy food and refreshments from local vendors, browse artisanal crafts and soak up the festive atmosphere of the Amana Colonies.

There will be a discount at the gate for going to both festivals.

For more information on these festivals, visit amanacolonies.com.