Lindenhof kicks off spring the German way

PEORIA (25 News Now) - As the weather heats up, spring is starting to come into full bloom. To celebrate, Peoria’s German American society is doing it the best way they know how: cooking up some great food.

“Marchtoberfest’ celebrates the end of winter and the start of spring, and festivites were in full effect at the Lindenhof Sunday. All the german fixings were available for attendees, including frikadellen (German meatballs), Bavarian ham, parmesan chicken, sauerkraut, and a fully stocked bar.

Traditionally in Germany, the beer making process started in the spring. Sunday’s event marks that same tradition, when German summers didn’t allow for good beer brewing.

”If you go way, way back to the first Oktoberfest started, before that, Germans couldn’t make beer in the summer time. It’s too hot,” German American Central Society media manager Jeff Pulfer says. “So all the beer made in Oktoberfest had to be made in March, so all the beer made in March is called ‘Marzen’ beer.”

The next big event is the Pancake and Sausage Breakfast on April 2. An official post on the society’s Facebook page says that time, costs, and menu will be out by the end of the month.