New Braunfels-Canyon Lake Fun! Wassailfest!

  

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New Braunfels-Canyon Lake Fun! Wassailfest!

December 1 marks the 19^th Annual Wassailfest in downtown New Braunfels---a fun family event. 

Wassailfest is the perfect time to take the family

• to listen to the sounds of Christmas carols from over 20 musical and church groups,
• see a live nativity scene,
• munch on great local fare,
• and sip up to 30 different wassails as you leisurely walk the closed off streets  in downtown New Braunfels. 

According to Robin Kunkel, recreation manager for New Braunfels Parks and Recreation, in 1992 Wassailfest began as a way for downtown merchants to thank customers for their patronage and to highlight the beauty of downtown New Braunfels.

Wassail is an apple cider based drink derived from the Saxon words “was hail” or “be whole”.  Wassails can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.  They vary widely. They can be savory, sweet, or a mixture of the two.  For fun, a number of community groups and businesses make their special Wassail and compete for the People’s Choice award and the Wassail Meister Grand Prize. The attendees by means of a ballot, pick the People’s Choice Award, and a group of judges made up of representatives from the community and businesses pick the Wassail Meister Grand Prize, which is the non-alcoholic version.

Winners of the 2010 Wassail-Meister’s Grand Prize Wassail 

1. First Place-- Bash Events/CMI Photo;
2. Second Place-- First State Ban; 
3. Third Place-- Alarm Automation of Texas, Inc.

Winners of the People's Choice for best wassail during Wassailfest 

1. First Place-- New Braunfels/Comal County Crime Stoppers.
2. Second Place-- New Braunfels Humane Society and,
3. Third Place-- Simply Adorable Children's Boutique.

A traditional toast to kick off Wassailfest is at 6 p.m. in the Main Plaza. Afterward, downtown merchants open their doors and serve their specialty batches of wassail. “It’s a very fun, family-oriented event with lots to see, eat and drink. Mark your calendars and come a-wassailing!

If you have been to Wassailfest, what is your favorite part?  Comment below.