Goetta (pronounced “get-UH”) is a loose sausage made with ground pork and beef, steel-cut oats, onions, garlic and a lot of spices including mace, marjoram, ginger, coriander, white pepper and cloves. The breakfast sausage is formed into thick patties and then pan fried.

Goetta was first introduced to the U.S. through an influx of German immigrants to Cincinnati in the 1830s. In Germany it had been known as gruetzwurst, a dish farm workers ate for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Made up with organ meats, oats and a lot of pungent spices, the gruetzwurst was a way to use up scraps of meat and cheaper cuts or pork and beef. As the sausage evolved in the U.S. to become known as goetta, it became a favored breakfast food with higher-quality ingredients.

After all these years, goetta remains a popular regional staple. It’s celebrated each August at the Glier’s Goetta Fest near Newport, Kentucky. This year the festival expanded to two weekends, last week and this weekend, Aug 3- 6. It features live music, family fun and all things Goetta.

There will be over 50 unique Goetta-inspired menu items, from savory to sweet, spread across 11 locations along the riverfront.

They’ll  introduce the world’s only Goetta vending machine at Glier’s Goettafest! As a special thank you their valued customers, they are offering a limited-time pricing of only $4 per serving from this unique vending machine. This groundbreaking innovation allows you to indulge in the savory goodness of Goetta with convenience and simplicity. Simply insert your payment, select your desired Goetta variety, and watch as the vending machine dispenses a delectable portion of this Cincinnati favorite.

Don’t miss the 90-foot-tall Ferris wheel. Providing an exhilarating ride and a panoramic view of the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky riverfront, this Ferris wheel promises to be a major attraction for attendees of all ages. Whether it’s taking a romantic ride with a loved one or capturing stunning photos from above, the Ferris wheel offers a whole new perspective on Goettafest.

Admission is Free