My first Sauerkraut Day Sometimes living in the middle of nowhere is rather surreal. Today is one of those days. I cannot believe that people will stand in line for free sauerkraut, dyed red wieners, a processed cheese slice, instant potatoes, a bun and a Coke or Diet Coke. But indeed they do. And guess what? It’s fun. A lot of fun. There is music, laughter, jokes and chatter. It’s the people that make it fun. It is unique and very much what small town America is all about to me.
A lot of gray hair in the long line…but they will wait for free food. Plus after you can go to the Cinema Cafe for free Italian Sodas and free coffee, free ice cream at Stan’s Super Valu, free ice cream and coffee at the Prairie Winds and the list goes on and on…
A lot of gray hair in the long line…but they will wait for free food. Plus after you can go to the Cinema Cafe for free Italian Sodas and free coffee, free ice cream at Stan’s Super Valu, free ice cream and coffee at the Prairie Winds and the list goes on and on…Sauerkraut Day began 83 years ago in Wishek as a way for Wishek merchants to thank the people of the area for their business. It was originally served out of the back of a wagon. And I think the potatoes were probably not instant.
Our family standing in line…you can always see my dad in a crowd.
We are in a red state…one of the three states that Obama’s staff has pulled out of…along with Georgia and Alaska. And this is just some one’s mini-van. Not a politician. To put this event into perspective though…Wishek is a town of 1200 in the middle of no where. But for Sauerkraut Day people come out of the woodwork. They feed thousands of people including the Governor of ND, John Hoeven and Senator Byron Dorgan. And every local and state politician running for office.
Pumpkins for sale. $5 each or 4 for $15.
The “Classic Country” AM radio station broadcasting live
Daddy eating kraut…Elissa eating carrots…until she got her hands into Daddy’s mashed potatoes
Our family standing in line…you can always see my dad in a crowd.
We are in a red state…one of the three states that Obama’s staff has pulled out of…along with Georgia and Alaska. And this is just some one’s mini-van. Not a politician. To put this event into perspective though…Wishek is a town of 1200 in the middle of no where. But for Sauerkraut Day people come out of the woodwork. They feed thousands of people including the Governor of ND, John Hoeven and Senator Byron Dorgan. And every local and state politician running for office.
Pumpkins for sale. $5 each or 4 for $15.
The “Classic Country” AM radio station broadcasting live
Daddy eating kraut…Elissa eating carrots…until she got her hands into Daddy’s mashed potatoes
Yummy???
In 2008 it is uncommon sight to have the local high school chorus singing German polkas AND playing accordions. They even SANG in German. And told jokes about Norwegians.
And to all my Lukens relatives…my mom reminded me as I was walking around Sauerkraut Day taking pictures that I look like my Grandma Dorothy who always had her big camera around her neck, snapping pictures. So I tucked one pant leg (dark blue denim from Banana Republic NOT green polyester from Montgomery Ward) into my boot, held my camera in my dad’s face and said “Hey Dad who am I?”. We all laughed. Dad always has called me “Dorothy” throughout my life and I guess I am more and more like her every day. She is looking down from heaven as happy as can be that I am living in this German town eating sauerkraut and TAKING PICTURES.
Just another reason why I love North Dakota..and for the Obama thing- why I love Georgia too…