All my life, from the time I was a child, I knew I was German. 100%, through and through. My ancestors on both my mother's and father's side immigrated from Germany to the U.S. So naturally, I assumed I was German. Until a year or so ago, when I took an Ancestry.com DNA test and discovered I'm actually 47% English/Wales, 22% Swedish, 20% Scottish/Irish, and a whopping 11% Germanic Europe. Hmm.
But that new knowledge has not lessened my fascination with all things German. And when I learned there is an annual Germanfest in the small rural farming community of Roberts Cove, La., just an hour east of Lake Charles, I knew I had to go!
Roberts Cove is home to a mere 175 families, yet each year, they host this festival and welcome thousands over the two-day event. Eric and I were among the throng today and we had a fun time.
Under the Main Tent, we heard German bands with their lively oom-pah-pahs and yodeling . . .
and watched German dancing . . .
We ate German sausages, beef stew, potatoes, sauerkraut, fresh soft pretzels, and apple cobbler. And while Eric and I abstained due to driving, beer was definitely one of the main attractions.
There was also a display of antique tractors, a blacksmith demo, and a fun children's area.
The festival site is a cultural center that is home to the beautiful St. Leo IV Catholic Church . . .
. . . a small chapel, a gift shop, and the community's German Heritage Museum.
Thank you, Roberts Cove. We had an enjoyable afternoon!
But that new knowledge has not lessened my fascination with all things German. And when I learned there is an annual Germanfest in the small rural farming community of Roberts Cove, La., just an hour east of Lake Charles, I knew I had to go!
Roberts Cove is home to a mere 175 families, yet each year, they host this festival and welcome thousands over the two-day event. Eric and I were among the throng today and we had a fun time.
Under the Main Tent, we heard German bands with their lively oom-pah-pahs and yodeling . . .
Reminds you of an authentic German Biergarten, no?
and watched German dancing . . .
We ate German sausages, beef stew, potatoes, sauerkraut, fresh soft pretzels, and apple cobbler. And while Eric and I abstained due to driving, beer was definitely one of the main attractions.
There was also a display of antique tractors, a blacksmith demo, and a fun children's area.
The festival site is a cultural center that is home to the beautiful St. Leo IV Catholic Church . . .
. . . a small chapel, a gift shop, and the community's German Heritage Museum.
Thank you, Roberts Cove. We had an enjoyable afternoon!