SCHLACHTFEST

Sponsored by GACS

at Hickory Grove Park

Schlachtfest is a German ceremonial pig roast feast and party!

• Music!
• Food!
• Children’s Playground, adult games, bonfire in the evening, and more!
• Fun for the whole family!

Schlachtfest or slaughter fest is a old German tradition related to the slaughtering of animals in the Fall before Winter sets in.  Our Schlachtfest is essentially an Oktoberfest held in the country.

This holiday was originally celebrated during the 19^th Century, but died out in World War I.  The holiday was reestablished by Ronald Reagan in 1983 to commemorate the 300^thanniversary of the first German settlers to the colonies.

About one in four Americans claim to be of German descent.  Even though Germans have settled in the United States for over 300 years, the first German settlers didn’t arrive in Peoria until the 1830’s.

The Germans have made significant contributions to the tri-county area since their arrival.  Many of the businesses including retail stores, steel fabrication, breweries, butcher shops, etc. were largely German through the 1800’s and on into the early 1900’s .  The population of Peoria more than tripled after the influx of, first, German immigrants, then Irish, Italian, and Lebanese immigrants.  The influence of the Germans was heavy in the development of a city from a small town.