Wurstfest canceled in New Braunfels

On July 23, the Wurstfest Association of New Braunfels announced the cancelation of the 2020 Wurstfest celebration, which was scheduled for Nov. 6-15.

According to a press release, the Wurstfest Board of Directors decided to cancel the festival after reviewing the latest local COVID-19 information.

“This will be the first time Wurstfest has canceled a festival in our 60-year history,” 2020 Wurstfest President Randy Rust said in the release. “When we looked at how festival operations would have to change to prioritize safety, plus the related operational restrictions, we just didn’t feel we would be able to provide the Wurstfest experience we are known for.”

Each year, over 175,000 visitors attend the festival and bring in an average of $7 million for the Wurstfest Association and local vendors that operate booths on the grounds.

According to Rust, many of the nonprofits that participate meet their annual fundraising goals by participating in the festival, and plans for fundraising efforts to support these organizations will be announced in coming weeks.

“We also realize how important the festival is to the community non-profit organizations that participate,” Rust said. “Many of them make their fundraising goals for the year during the ten days of Wurstfest and go on to use those funds to do good work that benefits our community throughout the year.”

The association also announced that the 2021 festival, which will mark the 60th Wurstfest, will take place Nov. 5-14 and will utilize the new Marktplatz building, set to be completed this fall.