Main Street businesses and members of the Warrenton Downtown Association are moving ahead with plans for their spring festival, Fruhlingsfest, scheduled for Saturday, June 12.

The event will feature a 5K run/walk in the morning, followed by an afternoon of music, craft vendors, food, car show and activities. The event is a celebration of Warrenton’s downtown area and the town’s German roots.

“It’s German-themed attire, so you can even run in the 5K with German attire,” commented Maggie Hase, one of the organizers. 

Fruhlingsfest was canceled in 2020, but Hase said other downtown events last fall and winter went over well, and the downtown association wants to keep giving area residents something to look forward to.

“I think people were just ready to get out of their homes, and people did it safely. We’re hoping to see some form of normal,” Hase said. She added that masks are recommended for people attending the festival, and that all the special activities are taking place outdoors.

Proceeds raised by Fruhlingsfest and the 5K will go toward future community events and downtown revitalization projects.

The 5K run/walk, being organized by Charlotte Quest, begins at 8 a.m. June 12 at Warrenton City Hall. Registration is requested by picking up a packet from Main Street Real Estate, 304 E. Main St., between 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 11. Late registrations will be accepted at 7 a.m. June 12 at the starting line.

The cost to participate in the 5K is $25 for adults, $20 for students, with a $5 late fee on Saturday. Registrants will receive T-shirts, and top finishers will receive medals.

Activities for the afternoon festival begin at 4 p.m., with Main Street closing for setup at 3 p.m., Hase said. Traditional German dance music will be provided by Joe Polack and the St. Louis Express Band, while visitors get to browse vendors and see classic cars on display.

A big hit returning for Fruhlingsfest this year is the pie eating contest, Hase added.

Vendors are still needed for the festival. Registrations are being accepted on the Warrenton Downtown Association Facebook page, through the Fruhlingsfest Vendor  Registration event.

“Our hope is to line the whole street and bring people downtown,” Hase commented. “In the past we’ve had (things like) soup making, we’ve had tile-decorated coasters. We have a lot of local, but we also bring a draw from other towns.”

Sponsors requested

The Warrenton Downtown Association is asking individuals and businesses to consider sponsoring the 5K run and festival. Sponsorships help provide for this and future events, as well as supporting future downtown revitalization programs, Hase said. Sponsors who contribute $100 will be recognized on the Fruhlingfest 5K T-shirts.

Sponsorships for the festival are due by May 21.

Anyone with questions about sponsorships can call Charlotte Quest at 713-817-4726, or email southerner.bailey@gmail.com.

Hase said the downtown association is also seeking longer-term support through its Planting Seeds initiative. Along with helping support community events, sponsors who contribute anything from $50 to $1,000  aid in improving the downtown area and securing matching grants from economic development organizations.

“You’re investing in our community, you’re investing in our downtown district, and that benefit ripples out to the community as a whole,” Hase said. “We’re always looking  for people to give their input and help. ... We meet the fourth Tuesday of every month at the (Warren County) History Museum at 6 p.m.”