The 50th Germantown Festival: Food, Fun, and Community Celebration.
The 50th Germantown Festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm, took place at C.O. Franklin Park and the Germantown Charity Horse Show grounds this past weekend taking advantage of the early fall weather.
On that memorable Saturday, festival-goers enjoyed a delightful array of treats, including funnel cakes, Italian ice, Germantown Commissary barbecue, and a wide selection of foods from numerous vendors. Children reveled in the excitement, taking rides on the Pirate’s Revenge fair ride, enjoying the massive inflatable slides, scaling the rock-climbing wall, and bouncing around in the inflatable houses.
A notable highlight of this free family-friendly event was the 26th annual “Running of the Weenies,” a dachshund race held in the horse-show arena on Saturday morning. Ollie, a brown-haired dachshund, claimed the title of the fastest wiener dog, surpassing Jerry Garcia and a field of 33 other participants. The race not only provided entertainment but also served as a fundraiser for the Germantown Animal Shelter, drawing a substantial audience of several hundred spectators who enjoyed the pleasant weather.
Spread across approximately 21 acres, the festival hosted around 400 vendors, offering a diverse range of products, from custom artwork, crafts, and jewelry to clothing, food, pet products, and more. Event coordinator Melba Fristick, with nearly three decades of involvement in the festival, mentioned that they have found the perfect balance in terms of space and will not be expanding further.
Returning for the second year, Orlando Carroll and Peyton Teffeteller from Ridgeland, Mississippi, showcased their popular slime creations at the festival. Their Pet Slime offerings, available in various colors, textures, and scents with catchy names like Barbie, Yummie Gummie, and Delta Sunset, were a hit among kids and families. Festival-goer Orlando Carroll praised the event’s organization, the great crowd, and the comfortable atmosphere, emphasizing its role as a happy, fun, family time.
For artist Kevin Baldwin from Olive Branch, this marked his seventh year at the festival. His artistic focus revolved around capturing Memphis icons like B.B. King, the Orpheum Theatre, and the Grizzlies using wood and 3D techniques. Kevin, who also teaches at Kirby High School, showcased his talent and creativity to enthusiastic festival attendees.
Kelly and Mark Howard, hailing from Jackson, Mississippi, returned with their Kelly’s Crossing booth, where they offered metal yard art and seasonal accessories, many of which they personally created. Mark Howard shared his appreciation for the Germantown Festival, noting that it was one of the best festivals they participated in throughout the year. He expressed joy at seeing everyone coming out again after the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Longtime Germantown resident Lee Buchanan, a frequent festival-goer since the 1990s, expressed her fondness for the diverse crafts and her tradition of doing some Christmas shopping at the event. She also had a special affinity for the adorable weenie dog races.
In addition to the festivities, the Sons of Confederate Veterans proudly displayed historical relics, including a replica of a Noble Brothers 6-pounder artillery cannon used in reenactments at Shiloh National Military Park in Savannah, Tennessee. This event served as an opportunity for community awareness, with the group emphasizing the importance of preserving accurate and documented history.
Due to the festival’s popularity and the growth of Germantown, it moved to its current location at C.O. Franklin Park and the Civic Center Complex around 40 years ago. Germantown police estimated that between 50,000 and 70,000 attendees enjoyed the festival the previous year, making it a significant community event.