NEWPORT, Ky. — It’s become a yearly tradition in the northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area — Glier’s Goettafest.
“People be like what is go-etta? What is getta? What is that? What is this? What is gooda? But it is pronounced getta,” said Katherine Teague.
Teague and her family have been serving up goetta at each fest for years now. She said goetta is a German sausage, composed of pork, beef, oats and spices. Theyare a staple at this family-run booth.
“Our most sought-after is just our Goetta Mac n Cheese. It’s a classic. People love to try it,” she said.
She and her family are one of many vendors serving up goetta meat in a tasty dish of some sort. President of Glier’s, Dan Glier, said this year’s fest happened over two weekends. He’s been stationed inside a more informative and educational booth on goetta, saying he’s met several kinds of people wanting to know more about the business, the festival, and the meat.
“I’d imagine there’s a couple hundred a day that come through here. Over the two weekends, we’re expected over a quarter of a million people so it’s one of the largest festivals in Cincinnati,” Glier said.
Teague said it’s fun to work with her family each year at this event, and it’s also fun getting to know and love others as a result of being here each year.
“The family here within the festival is huge. We all remember each other. We’re here year after year. We’ve watched each other’s kids grow and we’ve watched each other grow,” she said.
Serving up food at each Goettafest is something they want to continue.
“We are always here, won’t miss a year,” Teague said.
Glier said they’ll be prepping for next year’s fest not long after this year’s comes to a close.