Glier's Goettafest returns this summer, bringing with it all of the goetta-infused creations you never knew you needed to Newport's Festival Park on the Levee for two weekends worth of fun and flavor.
The event will span eight days — July 29- Aug. 1 and Aug. 5-8 — offering plenty of opportunities for folks to sink their teeth into creative concoctions using the Greater Cincinnati culinary staple.
If you're not familiar with the fest's namesake, goetta is a sausage- and oat-based dish that has been consumed in the region since the 1800s. The dish was inspired by the German immigrants who settled in the area; they added grain to a mixture of meats to help stretch their pork and beef supply over multiple servings.
The 2020 festival was, of course, cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. But as COVID-19 cases decrease, vaccines increase and restrictions loosen, event announcements now seem to be around every turn — including this summer's Italianfest (also taking place at Newport's Festival Park on the Levee).
The annual Goettafest draws big crowds and features plenty of vendors slinging goetta-centric dishes (as well as non-goetta food items), live music and activities.
Past Goettafest events have featured dishes like the deep fried goetta cheese coney, grilled goetta donut sandwich, goetta rangoon, ice cream with goetta sprinkles, goetta nacho mountains and more.
Vendors must follow the fest's strict 3-2-1 policy, which restricts dining options to three goetta-infused dishes, two non-goetta dishes and one dessert. "These rules draw the very best talent and ingenuity out of each participating vendor. Chefs not only get to flex their creative muscle, they get to showcase their specialties alongside other top professionals in the local food community," the Goettafest website reads.
The festival is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit goettafest.com.
