2008 President, Frank Witting

August 2008
Contact: Herb Skoog, Director of “Wurst” Relations, 830/606-2300

WITTING SHARES GERMAN KNOWLEDGE

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX – Wurstfest President Frank Witting says as far as he knows, he is the first German native to serve as president of the Wurstfest Association. And he couldn’t be more excited.

Witting, who grew up in the area of Bremerhaven, moved to Texas 28 years ago, because of the people and the weather. He is looking forward to sharing “Gemuetlichkeit” during the 48th annual “Salute to Sausage” Oct. 31- Nov. 9. Wurstfest is a unique celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun that takes place in New Braunfels along the banks of the beautiful Comal River in Landa Park.

“‘Gemuetlichkeit’ can’t really be translated into English from German, but it is more of a feeling, a coziness, a togetherness, good food, being together with good friends. It is a feeling you share with others,” Witting says.

As President of this year’s Wurstfest, Witting has several goals.

“One of my goals was to start planning for 50th anniversary of Wurstfest,” Witting says. “And also, being German, I like to have things organized, so internally, I wanted to get policies and procedures organized and written down.”

Externally, Witting wanted to continue with the organization’s overall goals of continuing to promote Wurstfest which includes a tour group trip to Switzerland and Austria, and a trip to Oktoberfest.

“I think since I’m German, they thought I might be a good one to lead the trip to Oktoberfest,” Witting says.

He also continues to keep the German tradition alive and speaks German with Wurstfest patrons whenever he can.

Witting moved to the United States 28 years ago and started an insurance business. He now specializes in health insurance. He has been involved with Wurstfest since 1987, serving on the Gates and Finance committees and as the Opa room, Partnership and security chairman. He is the father of Christopher, 21; Kevin, 18; and Chase, 16.

He has been involved with Wurstfest for 21 years.

“I became an Opa on the same day I became a daddy,” he says. “I was made a Kleine Opa at 7 a.m. on a Wednesday and Christopher, who is now 21, was born at 4 a.m. the next day.”

The Wurstfest Association of New Braunfels is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to promote the local economy through tourism and promote and preserve the community’s rich German heritage. Proceeds from the event benefit a wide variety of projects.

Admission to the Wurstfest grounds will be free from 4 to 7 p.m. on opening night, Oct. 31. After that, admission to the festival is $8 at the gate; and children ages 12 and younger will be admitted free at all times. Group rates, advance discounts and special weekday promotions are available. For information about Wurstfest, call 830/625-9167 or 1-800-221-4369, or visit the Web site at www.wurstfest.com.