Schmeckfest

Schmeckfest (festival of tasting) is an annual four-day festival in Freeman, South Dakota that celebrates the heritage and culture of Russian Mennonites, who migrated to North America starting in the 1870s. Established in 1959, German culture is showcased through traditional food and crafts prepared and demonstrated by the local Freeman community. [ [http://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/news/jan-march05/03_16_05.htm#6 Schmeckfest expands to second weekend in South Dakota.] ] Schmeckfest has been held every spring since and has grown to accommodate more than 5,000 guests every year. The event is held at Freeman Academy, a grade 5 to 12 private school, and raises $90,000 annually for the school. [ [http://freemanacademy.pvt.k12.sd.us/boldvision/campaign.html Freeman Academy Campaign] ]

A multi-course meal and a musical — "The Sound of Music" in 2008 and "The Pajama Game" in 2007 — are the main fundraising events. [cite web|url=http://www.freemansd.com/schmeckfest/|title=Schmeck Fest|publisher=Freeman Courier|year=2008|accessdate=2008-04-06]

Schmeckfest celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, and officials at Freeman Academy called it the most successful Schmeckfest to date, with more than 6,000 guests visiting the Freeman Academy campus.fact|date=July 2008

2008 Schmeckfest Menu

Beginning

"South Dakota Mennonite College" was founded in 1900, and three years later, classes began in "The College" building (today's "Music Hall"), located one quarter mile south of the town of Freeman, SD. Today, Freeman Academy is a private Christian school for grades 5-12, which offers students a strong academic program with an emphasis in faith and the arts.

The first Schmeckfest was Friday, March 13, 1959. The German "tasting festival" was served buffet style in the basement of Pioneer Hall in Freeman, SD. All guests were encouraged to "take all you want, but eat all you take". The cost of meal tickets was one dollar for adults and fifty cents for grade school children. Preschool aged kids ate free. Serving began at 5:00 p.m. followed at 7:00 by a "period of relazation with recorded German music" and a talent program.

The Sound of Music Play

Cast - 21 People
Nuns Chorus - 30 People
Soldiers - 6 People
Orchestra - 12 People
Production Staff - 15 People

All Plays at Schmeckfest -
The Red Mill - 1967
Twilight Auction - 1968
Vignettes - 1969
The Mikado - 1970
Plain and Fancy - 1971
Fiddler on the Roof - 1972
Oklahoma! - 1973
The Student Prince - 1974
The Sound of Music - 1975
Hello Dolly - 1976
The Gondoliers - 1977
Family Reunion - 1978
The Music Man - 1979
The King and I - 1980
Pirates of Penzance - 1981
Plain and Fancy - 1982
Oliver! - 1983
Camelot - 1984
Shenandoah - 1985
100* in the Shade - 1986
Fiddler on the Roof -1987
H.M.S. Pinafore - 1988
Brigadoon - 1989
Kiss Me, Kate - 1990
The Sound of Music - 1991
Big River - 1992
My Fair Lady - 1993
Oklahoma! - 1994
Anything Goes - 1995
The Music Man - 1996
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - 1997
Annie - 1998
Pirates of Penzance - 1999
Hello, Dolly! - 2000
The Secret Garden - 201
Carousel - 2002
Oliver! - 2003
Lucky Stiff - 2004
Guys & Dolls - 2005
Cinderella - 2006
The Pajama Game - 2007
The Sound of Music - 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/grhc/order/tapes/foodvideo.html Schmeckfest: Food Traditions of the Germans from Russia, on The Libraries North Dakota State University]
* [http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/1998/SC5.htm Senate (of S.D.) Commemoration 5, of Schmeckfest]