Freudenfest celebrating its 50th year this weekend

(OLDENBURG, Ind.) – Freudenfest in Oldenburg is celebrating it's milestone 50th year this weekend.

It all started in 1976 when towns across America were holding events to commemorate America’s bicentennial. 

The Oldenburg residents had a lot of fun celebrating and working the event together in 1976 that they decided to make it an annual event. 

It was not known as Freudenfest the first year. A local German teacher was asked to come up with a name prior to the 1977 festival and Freudenfest was his selection.

“It was a pretty small event the first several years, but it really took off in 1987 for the 150th anniversary of Oldenburg,” Fruedenfest member Jeff Paul said. 

That 1987 festival had fireworks, muzzle loader contests, pig wrestling, log sawing and other unique activities. 

Freudenfest continued every summer and took another big leap in 2000 when it became what it is today. 

Giving Back

It’s one of the largest German festivals in Indiana and attracts thousands of people from across the region as well as a few who visit from overseas.

The Freudenfest Committee oversees the annual event and has used the funds to bring some major developments to the town. 

“In the early years we did smaller things, like pay for the flower boxes around town. We also sponsored a bus that took kids to the Batesville swimming pool in the summers,” Paul explained. 

While the committee continues to smaller initiatives, they have also invested millions into some major projects.

Here is a brief list of what they have funded over the years:

1. The bricks and lighting along Pearl Street

2. The Onion Dome restoration

3. Holy Family Church interior renovations

4. The cupola on top of the Oldenburg Town Hall

5. Assisted with the purchase of multiple firetrucks at the Oldenburg Eagle Fire Department. 

6. Was a major contributor to Oldenburg Academy’s Feldhaus 

7. The Maypole and the trail project 

8. Provided a local match to the performance pavilion project

9. Christmas lights on the Maypole 

10. Playground equipment at Gilbert Munchel Memorial Park 

11. Scholarships for Oldenburg Academy students

Those projects, along with numerous others, have resulted in millions of dollars the committee has invested in Oldenburg.

The festival is celebrating a half-century this weekend and organizers say the success of Freudenfest is made possible by the countless volunteers who donate thier time.

You can view the schedule for this weekend by clicking here.