Fredericksburg TX Is Authentic German Heritage
Oktoberfest Is Premiere of Many Hill Country Festivals
Sep 13, 2009
The sound of oompah, polka and energetic waltzes that fill the air in Fredericksburg, Texas are as authentic as any in the Olde World Bavarian countries. Colorful costumes, rich beer and fluent German fill the night air during many celebrations throughout the year, but Oktoberfest focuses a spotlight on the German heritage of this Hill Country community. The event, which benefits to local arts alliance, is always the first full weekend of October.
A year-round symbol of the city's German heritage is the maibaum, more commonly known as a maypole, in the Marketplatz. Maibaums are common throughout Bavarian communities, symbolizing the heritage and culture unique to the community. In Fredericksburg, visitors will note images reflecting the long lasting peace treaty between the German settlers and the Comanche tribes. There are also images of peaches, a predominant crop in Gillespie County, along with cowboys and cattle.
Shopping in Fredericksburg
Downtown Fredericksburg is ten blocks of restored buildings linked together by covered boardwalks and sidewalks. The preponderance of fine craft and art galleries leads many to compare Fredericksburg to Santa Fe, but prices and customer service are more reflective of small town, Texas hospitality. A number of nationally known interior designers feature the work of Texas-based and nationally known artists of many mediums.
Locally produced food items are also a “find” for shoppers to Fredericksburg. Jellies and jams, salsas, smoked meats, sausages, coffees, European-style chocolates and much more are offered around town. Wine tasting rooms on Main Street and wineries around the county provide visitors with the opportunity to take home some fine wine from the Texas Hill Country.
The best of food and gifts is combined in a wonderful old German limestone home where the Pedegron family operates the Peach Tree Gift Gallery and Tea Room. Each day the menu is a combination of regional favorites, like Black Bean Pizza or strawberry crepes for dessert.
Fredericksburg is home base for the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail that leads to more than 24 regional wineries. Throughout the year, these destinations offer barrel tastings, grape stomps, food pairings, art shows, live music and more.
Where to Stay in Fredericksburg
Early German settlers who lived and worked on ranches surrounding Fredericksburg often had small second homes or "Sunday Houses" in town where the family would stay when coming in for social outings on Saturdays and worship services on Sundays. Some of these now operate as bed and breakfast inns. Other B&Bs range from luxury to rugged to Olde World to contemporary. With more than 300 B&Bs operating in Gillespie County, the choices are both creative and intriguing.
More than 700 historically significant structures create Fredericksburg's national historic district. Seasonal homes tours offer a peak into many of the structures that are now privately owned.
Among the fascinating historical sites are the Pioneer Museum Complex, George Bush Gallery of the National Museum of the Pacific War, Enchanted Rock, and LBJ Ranch.
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