Chaffee German Days returns: A weekend of tradition and fun

Clyde Goodin, 3, participates in the kid’s tractor pull at Chaffee German Days on Aug. 19 at Frisco Park in Chaffee.

Southeast Missourian file

CHAFFEE — Chaffee German Days, a Chaffee local tradition, returns Friday, Aug. 9, and Saturday, Aug. 10, at Frisco Park.

German Days promises a blend of known activities and new attractions. The weekend event will take place from 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday.

Event coordinator August Knutson said attendees can look forward to recurring events from past years such as the softball tournament, the Little Mr. and Mrs. Pageant and Stein-holding contest.

Along with these events, the Chaffee German Band, celebrating its 25th anniversary, will be playing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Stein-holding contest, a highlight of the festival, challenges participants to hold a full beer stein parallel to the ground for as long as possible. The contest features separate categories for men and women, with past winners holding out for up to eight minutes. The mud races, another crowd favorite, will feature bigger trucks this year, according to Knutson.

“Saturday morning is when we’ll have some of our kids’ competitions. Things like the tractor pull and wiener dog races, I believe. There’ll be a bunch of food, different vendors that are supplying everything from barbecue to hamburgers. In past years, we’ve also had snow cones and all kinds of stuff. There’s just different varieties of food, games for kids and different organizations out from around town,” Knutson said.

Admission to German Day is free, though there are entry fees for specific competitions such as the softball tournament and mud races.

The festival is a collaborative effort, with various local organizations such as the Elks Lodge, Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society contributing to its success.

In case of bad weather, the festival will proceed through rain but will pause for thunderstorms. Safety remains a priority, and activities will be halted if lightning is present, Knutson said.

“We’ve had very good fortune the last two years that I’ve run it, with enormous help from everybody in the community,” he said. “I hope that stays that way and people come out, say ‘hi’ and have a good time.”

For more information on event times, visit the event’s Facebook page at Chaffee German Days.