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LA GRANGE — Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites will host their fifth annual Bluff SchuetzenFest on Saturday, May 16 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. This family festival offers a full day of live music, historicdemonstrations and games, guided tours of the Kreische brewery ruins, food and drink, and more. All are invited to join in a celebration of German heritage and Texas brewing history.
This year, Bluff SchuetzenFest aligns with celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary, recognizing how the nation has evolved since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Festivalgoers can expect an America250 twist on many festival activities from family crafts and historic demos, special presentations and exhibits, a themed Photo Op, and even history-inspired beers featured in the Texas History on Tap experience.
“America’s 250th is a unique opportunity to celebrate Texas beer and its place in the greater American story,” says Sites Manager Gavin Miculka. “It’s inspiring to connect our annual celebrations of Kreische’s brewery and the Bluff Schuetzenverein— the local German shooting club—to the broader themes of our nation.”
The day’s festivities begin with a Spasslauf 5K Fun Run beginning at 8:00 a.m. The starting line is located at the KC Hall in downtown La Grange and follows the traditional “marching” route of the Bluff Schuetzenverein up to the festival grounds. Runners may enter two optional contests: the “Best German Dressed” runner and Beer Stein Holding for a chance to win prizes. Registration for the Spasslauf 5K is available online and on the morning of the event.
Popular returning activities include the laser rifle shooting range, where guests can try their hand at a modern version of a historic Schuetzenverein competition, and The Great Bluff Scavenger Hunt, which has been revamped as an America250 Photo Quest. Food and snacks will be available from local non-profits, along with hands-on activities from community organizations.
Beer enthusiasts can take part in the Texas History on Tap Experience, which offers achance to sample beers, meet the teams behind their favorite breweries, and grab a taste of Texas history. This year, 18 craft breweries will offer Beer Tasting ticketholders samples ranging from classic German Pilsners to smoky Rauchbiers, along with several limited and special releases inspired by history and heritage.
General admission to the festival grounds is $5 Adults, $2 Students, and free for children 5 and under. To participate in Texas History on Tap, guests must purchase a Beer or Wine Tasting Package. Tasting package prices will go up at the door. All ticket sales support education and preservation initiatives led by the nonprofit Friends of Kreische Brewery & Monument Hill. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www. bluffschuetzenfest. org, or call (979) 968-5658.
Living historians bring the Kreische house to life with 19th-century cooking, crafts, stonemasonry demos, festival games, and more. Courtesy photo
