Utah’s untamed city and its sister by the Saale River are quite a pair, like bratwurst and sauerkraut
Ogden’s sister-city relationship with Hof (rhymes with loaf), Germany, started in 1954 when then-Mayor Raymond Wright sponsored August Brand from Hof to work at Bank of Utah’s Ogden branch.
Wright’s backing, prompted by bank founder Frank Browning of the Browning gun family, led to further connections. Two years later, when President Eisenhower launched Sister Cities International to rebuild relationships after World War II, the two cities were primed for membership.
Say “Prost!” to the historical bond at this year’s Hof Germanfest, Weber County’s annual celebration for the cities at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center.
Hear the traditional alphorns blow live at the
Hof Germanfest.
Photo courtesy Ogden Eccles Conference Center
Sure, it’s a party with beer flowing, but Hof Germanfest offers soft drinks for kids and non-drinkers to say “Prost!” as well. Photo courtesy Ogden Eccles Conference Center
Highlights include hand-made goods for sale, music, dancing and, like any good German party, an abundance of beer and food. “Our chef has done a really good job of keeping it as authentic as possible,” said Tayler Savage, conference center sales manager.
In addition to the conference center’s offerings, Layton restaurant Weller’s Bistro and bakeries Petra’s Backstabchen and Jack’s Bread Truck offer enough grub to fill out your lederhosen.
Kids are welcome. The Germanfest’s Kinder Corner gives them a chance to make crafts and learn about Hof and German culture. Utah schools with German language programs often host field trips to the festival, and raffles help raise funds for Utah students to study in Germany.
A prior festival launched in the late 1980s and ran for about a decade until it lost funding. Former Ogden Mayor Scott Sneddon, who died in 2005, didn’t want the celebration to go away. To honor his wishes, Weber County brought the festival to the Golden Spike Event Center. Organizers later discovered the conference center as the perfect spot for the gathering.
“You need to come and join us,” said Kassi Bybee, conference center general manager. “It’s just a really fun festival honoring our sister city.”
Now, if only we could convince Hof dignitaries to host a fry sauce fest.
Foods You’ll Want to Try
- Schnitzel
- Knackwurstl
- Frankfurtersl
- Jägerschnitzel
- Bratwurst
- Spätzlel
- Beer cheddar potato soup
- Rotkohl
- German Beer (duh)
When You Go
Hof Germanfest
Jan. 17 and 18, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Ogden Eccles Conference Center
Tickets available at ogdenpet.com
See more stories like this and all of our culture and community coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best of life in Utah?
