The Herald-Zeitung

Wurst gets in your blood in the City of New Braunfels, and for nearly 50 years the men who make it happen, the “Opas,” have passed the torch to successive generations.

“We have a lot of folks whose parents or dads have been involved in Wurstfest,” said Bruce Boyer, mayor of New Braunfels and this year’s Wurstfest president.

His father-in-law, Jack Ohlrich, was a past president and also former mayor of the town. And Boyer’s son-in-law, Steve Minus, recently became an “Opa,” German for “grandfather” and an affectionate term for a class of membership in the Wurstfest organization.

“It’s obviously very gratifying to see that the traditions are maintained and will go on,” Boyer said. “I’m very proud to be part of a family that’s involved through the generations.”

Boyer isn’t alone, however. There is a long list of families with deep roots at Wurstfest. Names that echo through the hallowed Wursthalle include Albrecht, Allen, Brandt, Dietert, Fischer, Goebel, Grist, Hoffman, Kaderli, Leach, Miller, Richter and Stockhorst, to name just a few.

But it can be a long wait to wear the distinguished red vest of the Opa, according to Herb Skoog, director of Wurst relations.

Potential Opas apply with recommendations from current Opas for a chance at the job. Each spring, members convene to fill any open slots. Membership comes with a requisite 20 hours of service at the event, but most work much more than that, Skoog said.

Candidates who make the grade first become “Kleine Opas,” or junior members, and wear green vests for a few years before joining the red vest elite.

Skoog’s son-in-law, Gary Marcoux, recently moved from Kleine Opa to Opa.

“It all depends on openings,” Skoog said.

Altogether, there are 273 men involved in Wursfest this year, Skoog said.

There are 100 Opas and 100 Kleine Opas each year, and the rest are “Grosse Opas,” or senior members, and distinguished “Opa Emeritus,” usually past presidents or men with a long record of service at the event.

Wives, called “Omas” or “grandmothers,” also get involved, and Boyer said they are the glue that makes the event happen each year.

The men of Wurstfest are unique, Boyer said.

Unlike members of other organizations, the Opas have but one simple goal — promoting the heritage of the community and putting on the annual event that supports area nonprofits.

“It’s really a community deal,” Boyer said.

Wurstfest brings together local civic and charitable organizations, as well as area children who perform at the event, Boyer said.

And Wurstfest has changed over the generations.

“Twenty years ago, you wouldn’t have seen a stroller at Wurstfest,” Boyer said.

What was once known as a “big party” is now an event for the whole family, he said.