People wait all year long for the opportunity to enjoy one of the favorite Hill Country events of the year, Wein & Saengerfest in historic downtown New Braunfels, and this year’s event on Saturday, May 7 is going to be better than ever. The 13th Annual Wein & Saengerfest will feature wine and craft beer tasting, as well as “a host of entertainment and activities that include continuous live music, a grape stomp, artisan market, food seminars, a Chef's Showdown, and activities for the kids—culminating with a street dance at Main Plaza.”

The event is free, with $15 tickets for wine tasting (5 tastings) or beer tastings (4 tastings), both of which include a commemorative glass.

This year’s event has also added some exciting features:

• The Downtown Derby—“The great thing about the first Saturday in May is that not only is it Wein and Saenger Day, it’s also Kentucky Derby Day,” said NB Scene. “Stop by the Seekatz Opera House and grab raffle tickets starting at $5 for 10 tickets for the Downtown Derby. Once the fastest 2 minutes in sports is over (at approximately 5:30pm), one ticket will be chosen out of the winning horse’s box for an awesome grand price, including a family 4-pack of tickets to Schlitterbahn.” The winner must be present.
• The Kindermasken Parade—“New Braunfels’ longest running heritage tradition, The Kindermasken Parade returns to its original date of the first Saturday in May, just as it was 160 years ago,” they said. “This costumed children’s parade kicks off the festivities at 11am.”

 They are also bringing in ample shade this year to provide cool places to enjoy the festivities from the Hill Street Stage and in front of The Craft Biergarten.

Craft breweries at the event include Big Bend Brewing Co., Freetail, Guadalupe Brewing Co., Karbach, Pedernales, Rahr and Sons, Seguin Brewing Co., Twisted X, Uncle Billy’s, and Krombacher Dark.

Wineries participating in the event include:

• Dry Comal Creek Vineyards
• Water 2 Wine
• Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards
• Red 55
• Texas Mead Works
• Dionisio Winery
• Copper Star Cellars
• Becker Vineyards
• Duchman
• Fall Creek
• Fiesta Vineyards
• Llano Estacdo
• McPherson
• Messina Hof

Proceeds from wine sales at Wein & Saengerfest benefit the New Braunfels Parks Foundation and fund improvements to downtown parks; proceeds from craft beer sales benefit the New Braunfels Downtown Association.

A wide range of live music will keep visitors dancing and singing along, headlined by favorite Texas band Shinyribs. The Nightowls, Seth James & Jessica Murray, Kori Free & The Groovehounds will also be playing.

Come to Wein & Saengerfest early, because the food court will include everything “from Po Boys to Barbeque and everything in between,” and you’ll want to keep your strength up to shop among the 30 vendors.

For more information about New Braunfels events or living in the Hill Country, visit Vintage Oaks. The fastest-growing community in the area for three straight years, Vintage Oaks is located in the heart of New Braunfels on the Texas Wine Trail, offering a range of Hill Country land for sale and resort-style amenities.

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