Bethel German Colony hosts educational events and arts and crafts festivals throughout the year. We welcome you to be our guest at these unique and festive events!
Children's Historic Heritage Days --
mid-April
An opportunity for grade school students to catch a glimpse of rural
life in the 19th century. The many hands-on activities offered to
the students include sheep shearing, brick making, paper making and marbling,
apple butter making, brick oven bread baking, quilting, soap making, pottery
throwing, etc.
Youth Fiddle Camp --
June
Students have the opportunity to study with Master
Musicians and learn fiddle tunes that are part of their heritage.
Fiddle Festival --
June 7-13,
2008
The Mid American Old Time Fiddle Convention, including a Youth Fiddle
Camp, endorsed and funded by the Missouri Arts Council attracts some of
the best master fiddlers from the Midwest. Contests, square dancing
and workshops are included.
World Sheep & Wildflower Festival --
September
A festival celebrating sheep and wool industries, fiber arts and crafts
and wildflower exhibits and gardening advice. This event includes
sheep shearing contests, dog trials, weaving and spinning contests and
lectures.
Fall Heritage Festival
Christmas in Bethel
-- Bethel German Colony Brass Band --
music, the ever-present artistic strain so prevalent in German communities,
has led an illustrious life in Bethel. This band was one of the
most respected bands in Missouri and has played a prominent role for 154
continuous years in Bethel’s festivities and parades. The band still
performs at many of the scheduled Colony events, frequently leading parades
in its brightly painted bandwagon.
Colony Barn --
this structure located directly behind the Fest Hall Restaurant is used
for activities and exhibits during Colony events.
September- Labor day Weekend 2008
A three day festival that takes one back to the 1844 Colony era to relive
the past. Enjoy Folk art demonstrations, colony home tours, home-cooked
German food, German music and dance. Continuous entertainment will fill
the barn and be sure to visit the special Kinderplatz area for the children.
December 2, 2007
A festival which recreates the warm-hearted German Christmas traditions
dating back to the original Bethel Colony days in the mid- to late-19th
century. Colony homes are decorated for Christmas and a Vesper service
is followed by a candlelit parade down the streets of Bethel to the Colony
Bandstand which is lit with hundreds of tiny white lights.