You don’t have to be German to love the party that Germantown throws every summer. You just have to enjoy great food, good music, a good time—oh and beer, of course! 
The 48th Annual Germantown Spassfest is August 14-15, 2015, and it has something fun for the entire family.
Spassfest, which means “fun fest,” began as a way to celebrate a new park and Village Hall and has become the longest-running festival in southern Illinois. The three-day party is rich in heritage and a wealth of great food and wonderful entertainment.
Come with your appetite, because the offerings are hearty and delicious: bratwurst and knockwurst, sauerkraut, homemade German potato salad, and a few all-American favorites such as hamburgers, fried chicken and funnel cakes. Enjoy a little brew with your food? Visit the Home Brew ‘Brew-Off” on Saturday and you can do a little taste testing. Homemade wine will also be available for tasting.
Music was important to the original settlers, and it’s a big part of today’s traditions too. On Saturday, you can catch performances by the Deutschmeister Brass Band, an evening concert by Well Hungarians, and attend a special Accordian Mass at St. Boniface Church. A highlight of the day is the late afternoon Parade—this year’s theme is A German Day in the Park.
Friday evening includes Entertainment by Vote for Pedro and original wooded art exhibit created by Brian Willis. Sunday begins with breakfast and features a raffle drawing for a Jeep Wrangler. Each day there’ll be a carnival with rides, amusements and games for the kids.
Spassfest
Friday – Sunday, August 14-16, 2015
Schoendienst Part, Illinois Route 161, Germantown
Friday, 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – Midnight
Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – Noon
618-523-4202
While the action’s on the ground in Germantown, it’s up in the air one week later at the Centralia Balloon Fest, August 21-23, 2015. More than 40 hot air balloons will be taking off to the delight of viewers down below, with Balloon Glows lighting up the evening sky both Friday and Saturday.
Bring your lawn chairs and get there early. Gates open at 6:00 a.m., with the Balloon Race beginning at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Though the balloons are the main attraction, there’ll be plenty of other amusements each day, including a craft fair, car show, cardboard boat race, and entertainment throughout the day and night.Adventurous sorts can get a taste of being airborn with a Tethered Balloon Ride. Friday highlights will include The Invaders 2.0 concert, followed by fireworks. Saturday’s musical highlights will be an evening concert by the U.S. Air force Band of Mid-America and the Shade of Blue Jazz band. And for those aged 8 to 100 wishing to show off their own musical skills, there’ll be a special Balloon Fest Karaoke contest.
Balloon Fest
Friday – Sunday, August 21-23, 2015
Centralia Foundation Park, Pleasant & McCord Streets, Centralia
Friday, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Parking, $3.00/day
618-532-6789
These are two more reasons why summer is such fun in Clinton County. Come visit us soon!