By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
Herzogfest will return to Victoria this weekend for a celebration of Volga German heritage, community traditions and free family entertainment during the festival's 43rd year.
Known as one of the largest free festivals in western Kansas, Herzogfest draws visitors from across the region for two days of live music, German food, competitions and activities that celebrate the community's history.
"It's our 43rd annual time doing this," Herzogfest President Brenton Hoffman said. "This thing's been going on for quite some time. It just gives us a chance to celebrate our German heritage and bring everybody together in the community for a free festival."
For Hoffman, preserving those traditions starts with the volunteers who organize the event each year.
"It starts with my committee and me," Hoffman said. "We do a great job of keeping the tradition alive with kind of the same things, keeping it free for the family and trying to get as many people there as we can."
The festival opens at 4 p.m. Friday as vendors begin serving guests along Main Street. Among the featured events is the Zog Olympics at 4:30 p.m., where two-person teams will compete across five games: Mega Beer Pong, Beersbee, Flip Cup, Civil War and Swing Ring, with only one team earning the title of champion. The competition is open to participants 21 and older.
Friday's lineup also includes a horseshoe tournament at 6 p.m. Open to all ages, the tournament gives players of every skill level a chance to compete as the festival gets underway.
Saturday's activities begin with the Herzogfest 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m., followed by a full day of events. The Heritage Market opens at 9 a.m., followed by the Herzog Hot Rods Car Show, live entertainment from Jammin' Randy and drift trikes beginning at 10 a.m.
The annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament also returns to Victoria Elementary School on Saturday. With divisions for adults, high school, junior high, elementary students and even kindergarten players, the tournament offers competitors of all ages a chance to battle for local bragging rights.
Other activities throughout the day include a cornhole tournament, valve cover races, a children's stein hoist competition, free swimming, bingo, pinochle, the adult stein hoist competition and a 50/50 raffle.
Live music also remains one of the festival's biggest attractions.
"We got a lot of local bands this year, strictly Kansas bands," Hoffman said. "Friday night, Blake Ruder from Hays, Jaron Bell and Brock Wagoner. Then Saturday we have Crazy Horse 2.0 starting off and the Blaine Younger Band to follow."
While entertainment continues throughout the weekend, Hoffman said the festival's German food and beer remain longtime favorites among attendees.
Herzogfest also continues to thrive because of community support, Hoffman said.
"Community is everything," Hoffman said. "We get so much support from local businesses in the surrounding areas, not to mention just in Victoria, to make this festival possible."
Admission to Herzogfest is free. Hoffman said visitors should use surrounding streets for parking because activities take place along Main Street. Handicap-accessible parking will be available.
Although the weekend includes dozens of activities, Hoffman said one tradition stands above the rest.
"My favorite part is the Polka Mass," Hoffman said. "That's one of the longest traditions with this festival, and that's part of our German heritage."
The Polka Mass begins at 4 p.m. Saturday and is followed by the Polka Dance at 5 p.m., bringing the festival's celebration of Volga German culture full circle before evening festivities continue.