This year's Touch of Bavaria was the best ever since its origin 16 years ago.  The weather was perfect.  No rain. No mud. No mess.  No mosquitoes.  And it was the best attendance with over 600 admission tickets sold at the gate.  The Victoria Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors this annual event and works hard to make it successful, will have ample proceeds to continue funding its annual Scholarship Program this spring to graduating  Victoria high school seniors.

Keeping an eye on beer sales were (l-r) Chamber member Paul Aspelin (ReMax Realtor); Pat Jirele (Victoria resident and volunteer), and Chamber Member Jeff Wood (By the Woods).

Chamber member John Siegfried and his son-in-law Desmond Alcindor grilled delicious brats and moist and tender pork chops that were a great hit at the party.

Chamber member Nan Emmer (Coldwell Banker Burnet) solicited dozens of raffle prizes that were given away that evening, and she also created this beautiful display of the prizes to entice purchase of raffle tickets and make many happy winners.

Chamber member Mike Hanlon (Nature's Bounty) was a friendly meeter, greeter, and promoter under the Big Tent.

Frank Petruska of Hopkins is a dancing fool when it comes to hanging out with his Victoria friends, especially Clarence and Dorothy Kelzer.

Lots of Victoria families attended Touch of Bavaria 2003 including Mike and Trisha Drazan their children Taylor, Blake, and Mason.

Another happy Victoria family!  Dave and Gina Holman of Victoria and their children Victoria, Mitchell and Baby Joey.

Among other families were former Victoria Chamber Darel Geske, his wife Sharen, their son Gregg Geske, and Gregg's sons Erik, Keegan, and Riley.

Jerry and Gerda Schmieg of Victoria were being visited by Herb and Marilyn Schmieg of Plano Texas.  That's Father Bob White of St. Victoria with the Roman collar.  Jerry and Herb are brothers.

Victoria Mayor Jerry Bohn and his wife Marlene worked for several hours helping  the Victoria Chamber of Commerce serve up the delicious German meal that evening.

Chamber member Marvin Storms of Victoria (center) is flanked here by two members of Die Wolpertinger Band -- Greg Traxler (left) and Jim Strehlke.  Die Band war wunderbar!

Old and new friends (l-r):  Pauline Ahern of Chaska, Mary Moore of Victoria, Pauline's husband Pat Ahern, and Bert and Carol Schmieg of Victoria.

Steve Jesberg, oldest of Germaine's seven children, all  of them born and reared in Victoria, brought his wife Carol and daughter Stephanie to partake of his Bavarian heritage.

Mike Wartman, born and reared in Victoria, is the oldest of Julianne's seven children and also the author of a popular column in the Gazette about the "old days."  Mike brought his wife Jodene to Touch of Bavaria.