If you love sausage, the 43rd annual Hermann Wurstfest is the place to be this weekend.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22, with the Braunschweiger Ball at Tin Mill Brewery, 114 Gutenberg. And, the famous Oscar Mayer Weinermobile will be making it’s appearance in Hermann all day on Saturday and Sunday morning.

For those who want to try before they buy, gourmet sausage sampling and sales will take place on Saturday March 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday March 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both the Stone Hill Winery Sherry House, 1111 Stone Hill Highway, and Hermannhoff Festhalle, 237 East First Street.  Tickets are $10 and cover entry for one person to both locations for one day.

Stone Hill Winery will also have German music from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, as well as the Wurstjaegers Dancers at 1 p.m. on both days.

If you prefer to show off your sausage-making skills, don’t forget to register for the Professional & Amateur Sausage Competition and Display. This will be held at the Hermannhoff Festhalle, 237 East First Street, on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early registration can be completed online for the amateur category, and in-person registration begins at 7 a.m.

Those who just want to watch are welcome, too.

A World War II veteran, Bob Aston — one of the first judges of Wurstfest competitions — has been named an honorary judge. Aston is 99, and is excited to be back in a judging seat, according to a release from the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce.

Wam Wam Games will be conducting a “Turn for the Wurst” card tournament. Registration is limited to the first 36 to sign up, and prizes will be awarded to the Best of the Wurst as well as the Wurst of the Wurst. Preregistration is required starting at 1 p.m. at the White House Hotel.

A sauerkraut making class will be held on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Wagon Works, 314 Gutenberg. Pre-registration is required and the cost is $35 per person.

Sunday morning at 7, the Hermann Fire Department, 214 East Second Street, will be hosting their annual all-you-can-eat whole hog sausage breakfast. Cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 5 to 12.  Kids four and under eat free. All proceeds benefit the Hermann Fire Department.

“Help those who put their lives on the line and enjoy a quality breakfast at the same time,” the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce noted in a press release. “First responders don’t have any idea what they will face with each call.”

Last year’s breakfast benefited families of the fallen police officer Detective Sgt. Mason Griffith, and patrolman Adam Sullentrup, who is still recovering from his injuries.

Last, but definitely not least, will be the Wiener Dog Derby at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Hermann City Park. This event is free to attend. Entry in the derby is $15 per dog, and owners must show proof of current vaccinations. All breeds may participate in the talent and costume contests. The entry fee for talent/costume contests is $10 per dog (for each contest), but free for wiener dogs who were entered in the derby. Dogs can be pre-registered online, or register after noon at the event.

Audience participation is required for judging the first-place winners in both talent and costume, according to the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Then it is off to the races, where full-bred dachshunds will be divided in three running divisions — Cocktail franks (birth to one year) Frankfurters (one to five years) Ball Park franks (five years and up),” according to the Chamber’s release.

Additional details about events are found on the Hermann Chamber of Commerce website https://www.hermannareachamber.com/hermann-wurstfest.Registration for all events can be completed on the website.