The Comal County Historical Commission and the Texas Historical Commission held a dedication ceremony Wednesday for the unveiling of a historical marker that commemorates New Braunfels’ annual Wurstfest celebration. The marker sits on the Wurstfest grounds at 120 Landa St.

"It’s fun that there’s an event like this in the community,” said Chris Florence, communications director for the Texas Historical Commission. “It’s fitting that a celebration of the history of the community would get a marker.”

New Braunfels Mayor Barron Casteel addressed the crowd at the event, calling the Wurstfest site “one of the most remarkable places in New Braunfels.”

“When you enter the grounds, you smile from ear to ear, and everything about New Braunfels becomes more vibrant,” Casteel said. Casteel is a Wurstfest board member and one of the “Opas." Opa is the German word for grandpa, and the Wurstfest Opas volunteer at the event.

Karen Boyd, Comal County Historical Commission chair, said the application process for the marker began more than two years ago, and an event or historical site must be established for at least 50 years to qualify for a marker. She noted that some of the buildings and structures on the Wurstfest grounds date back to the mid-1800s. Wurstfest began in 1961 when City Meat Inspector Ed Grist created the festival to honor sausage, according to information at www.wurstfest.com.

After the sign’s reveal, Wurstfest President Eric Couch read the words on the plaque to the crowd, and the ceremony concluded with a toast from Rusty Brockman, this year’s Wurstfest Grosse Opa, or “Big Grandaddy,” who is tasked with ensuring everyone who attends Wurstfest has fun.

Wurstfest opens Nov. 3 and will conclude on Nov. 12. Visit www.wurstfest.com to see the full event schedule.