Luxembourg Fest offers host of attractions

The world’s largest Luxembourg family reunion, otherwise known as Luxembourg Fest, will run from Thursday, Aug. 11, to Sunday, Aug. 14, in Belgium.

The event turns 36 this year and features fun for all ages.

The Luxembourg American Cultural Society Museum will have free admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on every day of the festival.

On Friday, the LACS will hold a cultural forum called The Jewish Experience in Luxembourg at the Ozaukee Nonprofit Center, 1360 Dakota Dr., Grafton,  from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Luxembourg historian and former journalist Renee Wagener and LACS curator Serena Stuettgen will speak.

Refreshments and educational materials will be provided.

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. People may also attend online. The in-person cost is $30 for LACS members and $35 for nonmembers. The online cost is $15.

Register at https://e.givesmart.com/events/lqm.

Saturday, Aug. 13

The public blessing and unveiling of the “Immigration” sculpture will be at 9 a.m. at Village Hall, 104 Peter Thein Ave., across from the LACS. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, archbishop of Luxembourg, will lead the ceremony.

The five-foot tall bronze sculpture was done by artist and immigrant Victorine Hinger and commissioned by Mike Ansay, honoray consul of Luxembourg in Wisconsin.

The annual parade steps off at 11 a.m. on Main Street.

Attractions at Community Park from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. include: the Vern Arendt photo ID tent, honored family tent featuring the Ehlinger family, the LACS gift shop, the living statue of the Gëlle Fra and the artist corner. Hinger will lead a stone-carving class in which people turn a stone into a necklace, and they may view chalk art by Hinger and artist Tracy Topp.

From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Jolly Good Kids Zone activities include: a straw bale mountain, Mary Macaroni’s balloon animals, bounce houses, an inflatable obstacle course and, at 1 and 2:30 p.m., Miss Kim’s Amazing Animals. Each show lasts one hour.

Luxembourg band Zero Point Five will perform at noon and 2 p.m.

The world’s largest treipen-eating contest will be held at 1 p.m. at the gazebo.

The Division BMX Bike Show will be held at 12:30 and 2 p.m. on Main Street.

A caricature artist will draw from 1 to 5 p.m.

Wisconsin band Bootjack Road will perform from 6 to 10 p.m. at the main stage. The cover charge is $5.

New this year is Luxembourg Under the Stars, an al fresco dinner benefiting the LACS held just outside the center at 100 Peter Thein Ave.

A wine tasting with specially paired appetizers starts at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 7 p.m. The Chicago band Deon DeLux will perform.

The cost is $125. Reservations are required. Visit www.lacs.lu for more information.

Sunday, Aug. 14

The annual Mass will be held at 10 a.m. in Community Park, celebrated by Cardinal Hollerich.

Chairs will be set up, but attendees may bring their own and spread out across the festival grounds.

The crowning of Luxembourg Fest’s duke and duchess, Chevy and Maria Freiburger, will be held, and the Ehlinger family will be honored.

After Mass, Devon DeLux will perform.

Lunch will be sold by the Melvin Wester American Legion Post 412 of Belgium.

For more information, visit www.lacs.lu or www.lacs.lu/luxembourg-fest-week/luxembourg-fest-week-2022-gazette.