Get your German flair on at West Bend’s Germanfest

During the 10^th anniversary of Germanfest Lisa Neumann, then Lisa Amundson, worked with Amy Garino as coordinator of the Downtown Marketplace located above Sager’s Men’s Apparel.

“Someone from the community donated a bunch of German dresses and of course I had to squeeze into this German dirndl and wear it to a tourism convention to promote Germanfest and then wear it for the festival,” said Neumann, recalling the dress “had an apron and cute little white shirt.”

“I was just like… there’s no way I’m going to put this body into that dress,” she said. “But everybody was very impressed with the dress and thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

“You have to remember everybody had attire except the downtown person and I can’t remember if Theresa Fuerbringer had to wear it. I think from now on they should have to wear the dress because it really puts you in the mood. And then of course you have to dance; you have to polka,” said Neumann.

Over the years dirndls and lederhosen were pulled out of the back of the closet and worn proudly during the annual festival.

• “I made all the boys outfits, lederhosen, out of cut-off corduroys and then they just wore suspenders and a tie. Dave Lyons actually asked me to make him one.” Suzanne Tennies
• “And they expect me to get into these dirndls yet after 25 years. This is really a challenge; there are no more seams left – so far I’ve managed, but that’s a lot to expect!” Dolores Stoffel – Germanfest committee member
• “I had a short-term lederhosen experience on Friday night. They’re tough to wear, especially on a 100-degree day under these tents.” Jon Kiekhaefer  – Germanfest committee member who acquired his lederhosen from Lori’s Costume Shop    “I have one dirndl and I ordered it through the mail from Ernst Licht; I’ve had the same black dirndl all the years.” Judy Etta – 28 years in the dessert tent and she’s wearing the same dirndl.