A celebration of Hermann’s 160-year history of sausage making and German culture will take place during the 40th Annual Hermann Wurstfest, March 23-24.The Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce joins sausage makers, wineries, lodging establishments, restaurants and shops in affirming Hermann as the “Sausage Capital of Missouri” during this festival which will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Visitors are invited to sample and purchase Old-World delicacies such as Bratwurst, Leberwurst, Schwartenmagen and Sommer Sausage in the Sherry House at Stone Hill Winery and the Wurst Markt.In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Wurstfest, three new activities are planned.New this year is a Friday evening Wurst-Making & Sauerkraut-Making Class and Dinner at Hermann Wurst Haus; a Sauerkraut-Making Class at the Wurst Markt on Saturday; and the Hermann Wurstfest Volksmarch Saturday and Sunday.Volksmarch maps with tickets must be picked up at the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce/Hermann Welcome Center.Preregistration is required for all classes. For more information or costs or to register, call the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-932-8687 or 573-486-2744.Returning again this year is the Wurst Competition which features both professional and amateur categories. A panel of both celebrity and expert judges will be on hand to evaluate the numerous sausage entries.Entertainment will highlight Hermann’s German heritage. World-famous accordionist, Marilyn Loehnig, will entertain the audience at Stone Hill Winery. The Rhineland Wurstjaeger dancers will perform at 1 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.On Saturday at 4 p.m., a Wiener Dog Paint & Sip Class will be held at the UnColor Wine and Art Bar on Fourth Street. Preregistration is required by calling 573-486-0227.Saturday evening will be the Braunschweiger Ball, Hermann’s “Most Zany Epicurean Event,” at The Bank Bar at Schiller. Braunschweiger appetizers will be judged for best tasting and most creative presentation.On Sunday, the Hermann Volunteer Fire Department will serve a whole hog sausage breakfast at Firehouse No. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Along with the whole hog sausage, the firemen will serve scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy and pancakes.Dachshund owners are encouraged to enter their dogs in Wiener Dog Derby that Sunday at the City Park Ballfield. Registration begins at noon, and the Derby begins at 2 p.m. Dogs must be full-blooded dachshunds and have current health records at registration.The Deutschheim State Historic Site and the Historic Hermann Museum will both be open for tours that Saturday and Sunday.Wurstfest