Volunteers necessary for success of annual festival

Volunteers necessary for success of annual festival

Written by Michelle Davis Sunday, 07 May 2006

Deutschen Pfest is a weekend outdoor festival that has become a Pflugerville tradition for kids and families from all over Central Texas. People look forward to the carnival and the parade, as well as simply savoring the sounds and smells of a good old-fashioned fair. Kids laughing and enjoying the rides, the aromas of juicy turkey legs, sugary funnel cakes and freshly popped corn are only a small part of this annual ritual.

The festival which began 31 years ago as a huge party for citizens of Pflugerville, now includes 100 booths sponsored by local non-profit groups and businesses providing food, arts and crafts. The carnival offers 10 or more rides, and the festival itself attracts 15-20,000 people.

“It’s hard work, and it’s a long, hot weekend, but its fun to see all the happy faces,” Starlet Sattler, Deutschen Pfest chairman said. “We take pleasure in knowing that we’re a part of something that attracts so many people and makes a lot of people happy - its like throwing a big party.”

“Deutsch” literally means German. The festival was named ‘Deutschen Pfest’ by a middle school class during a contest to name the celebration. The festival includes a carnival, a parade, food, musical entertainment, a 5K Pfun Run and bike ride, all organized by community volunteers. Sheri Moose has been volunteering as the children’s entertainment chairperson for 20 years and has brought her family every year since 1985.

“My son Wilson has attended the Pfest since he was three. I wanted him and his friends to have a fun thing to see and do,” Moose said. “Now my grandson is four, and he has attended the Pfest since he was born. They have lived in Chicago for the last two years, but they fly to Texas just to attend the Deutschen Pfest with his grandma and pappa.”

It also creates a way for the Parks and Recreation department to afford park and other capital improvement projects. According to Sattler, an expansion to the hike and bike trail, as well as replacing play equipment on playgrounds was afforded because of the Deutschen Pfest. Proceeds from last year’s festival paid for bathrooms at Heritage Park and electrical improvements at Pfluger Park. This year the goal is to raise $20,000.

“The city worked diligently to make sure the parks system adds to the family atmosphere,” Melissa Garcia-Duncan, publicity/sponsorship chair, said. “It really helps solidify the family feeling that Pflugerville has.”

May 19 - 21

• Parade
  • Railroad Ave. to Main Street 11a.m
  • Entertainment lineup check Web site http://www.cityofpflugerville.com
• Pfun Run
  • 27th Annual 5k Pfun Run & Walk/ Deutschen Pfest Kids K- 5k Sunday May 21 8 a.m. $20 registration fee
  • First Annual Deutschen Pfest 30k Bike Tour May 13th 8 a.m. starting at Hendrickson High School. $20 registration fee
  • Register at active.com or at the Pflugerville Recreation Center
• Prices
  • Tshirt- gets you in all weekend- Children’s $8- adults- $10-$12 Tank tops- Adults $9 -$11 sold at the Rec center until May 19 after that at the gate until they’re sold out
  • Friday 5:30 p.m.-midnight day bands $3
  • Saturday 10:30 a.m.-midnight day band $4
  • Sunday 11:30- 5 p.m. day bands $3
• Parking
  • Free parking and shuttles from Pflugerville High School and Brookhollow Elementary –- shuttles run 30 minutes prior to park opening and 30 minutes after closing- til 12:30, no parking along the streets round the park

0 Comments