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school children. Preschool-aged kids ate free. Serving began at 5:00 p.m. followed at 7:00 by a "period of relaxation with recorded German music" and a talent program. The popularity of that first festival exceeded expectations; many people were disappointed to learn the food was gone by the time they arrived. But the organizers, the
Freeman Junior College Women's Auxiliary, saw the interest in the event and the potential it offered. The second Schmeckfest was held in 1960 and the festival became an annual event.
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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
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Since then
Schmeckfest has expanded to two days, then to three days and later to four days — two days for two consecutive weekends in March or April. Following a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-22, Schmeckfest returned in 2023 as a one-weekend festival; that format continues.
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A book on the 60-year history of
Schmeckfest was published in 2018. "Schmeckfest at 60" is a 252-page hardcover book that includes a comprehensive look at the festival and more the 150 photos and illustrations. It was published by Second Century Publishing Inc., of Freeman which also publishes the
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A multi-course meal and a musical are the main fundraising events. The festival also includes displays, programs, demonstrations and sales of ethnic handcrafts and culinary arts. In recent years, Heritage Hall Museum and
Archives, located adjacent to the Freeman Academy campus, offers historical
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The
Schmeckfest meal was served buffet style in the early years before switching to family style in 1965. In 2018, buffet-style serving returned for the 60th Schmeckfest, which is part of an emphasis on the historic nature of the 2018 observance and continues as the dining format.
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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 downtown area of Freeman, S.D. Today, Freeman Academy is a private Christian school for grades 1-12.
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who emigrated to North
America starting in the 1870s. Established in 1959, Schmeckfest showcases the traditional foods, crafts and talents of the Freeman community with
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Schmeckfest has been held every spring since and has grown to accommodate more than 5,000 guests every year. The event is held at
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Schmeckfest: Food
Traditions of the Germans from Russia, on The Libraries North Dakota State University
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http://www.americasheartland.org/episodes/episode_102/schmeckfest.htm
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Tourist attractions in
Hutchinson County, South Dakota
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Schmeckfest expands to second weekend in South Dakota.
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Current information about Schmeckfest is available at
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242:Senate (of S.D.) Commemoration 5, of Schmeckfest
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