The Original German Sausage Festival

The German Sausage Festival in Elberta, Alabama, is a popular event celebrated for its iconic “One With Two Without” German sausage and sauerkraut, along with a wide array of entertainment and food options. Visitors can enjoy not only the delicious sausages but also German-style filled cabbage, goulash, potato salad, BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, popcorn, peanuts, and more. The festival also features over 200 arts and crafts booths, along with carnival rides and live music, including polka, country, contemporary, and German tunes. Typically, the festival serves about 6,000 pounds of sausage and attracts around 20,000 visitors.

Originally launched in 1978 as a fundraiser by Elberta's Volunteer Fire Department, the festival has become a major event supporting both the fire department and the town. Proceeds from the festival are used to improve the fire department and fund town projects, while local non-profits also benefit from booth sales and parking lot fees. Due to its ongoing success, the festival is now held twice a year, on the last Saturday in March and October.