SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — In 2023 it was announced that Germanfest, a fundraising event by the Sister Cities Association of Sioux Falls celebrating the whole country of Germany and a partnership with the City of Potsdam, would no longer happen.
The loss of the event was felt by many in the community that enjoyed the festivities, but now another event if being planned to fill the niche.
The Downtown Holiday Inn City Centre in Sioux Falls will be hosting Stacks & Steins on September 28.
“I don’t know if I would go so far as calling it a replacement,” said Melany Pravecek, Director of Sales for Holiday Inn City Centre. “The Holiday Inn for years had a booth [at Germanfest] that had authentic German food.”
Pravecek said they missed serving that food in 2023, and decided to create their own event. “German food — German beer; they all kind of go hand in hand,” she said.
So what should attendees expect from Stacks & Steins? Pravecek says the stacks in question are the Holiday Inn’s potato pancakes, and the steins, or course, are beer.
“We’ll be serving our German platter, we’re gonna have live music,” said Pravecek, “and we’re also gonna have some games there. We’re gonna have hammerschalgen — and stein holding competitions.”
There will be prizes for winners and boot glasses available for purchase upon entering.
“We’re going to have it on the second level of our parking ramp — weather permitting,” said Pravecek, noting that there will be tables and chairs and tents.
When it comes to age, Pravecek says you can bring your children but it isn’t exactly a kid-friendly event. “We really want to get some footing for this event and maybe make it an annual event,” she said. “If people are out and about just looking for something to do — maybe find a babysitter and come back and drink some beer!”
