Eric FL Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Does anyone have photos of the Festhaus the first couple of years after it opened? I was just a young kid but I recall when it had an Oktoberfest show in it, it had a gazebo on each side of the stage with an animated polka band in them like the clock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdubbs727 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Interesting! I don't have any pictures, but man do I remember when going to the Festhaus for lunch and a show was an event. I remember when they had the ice-skating show in there for a bit. That was pretty cool and it really did feel like it was a centerpiece for entertainment. So many weird shows there during the Paramount era - not just the ice show, but also a "Cheers" musical (!) and really silly game show that I loved as a kid. These days, it just feels kind of like an afterthought. The shows are fine, but I don't get the feeling that anyone's particularly excited to rush in and see it (that also might just be me getting older; maybe no one was ever excited for this but kids!). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhatTheBlazes Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 1 hour ago, cdubbs727 said: Interesting! I don't have any pictures, but man do I remember when going to the Festhaus for lunch and a show was an event. I remember when they had the ice-skating show in there for a bit. That was pretty cool and it really did feel like it was a centerpiece for entertainment. So many weird shows there during the Paramount era - not just the ice show, but also a "Cheers" musical (!) and really silly game show that I loved as a kid. These days, it just feels kind of like an afterthought. The shows are fine, but I don't get the feeling that anyone's particularly excited to rush in and see it (that also might just be me getting older; maybe no one was ever excited for this but kids!). I remember the Ice Skating show too! One of my favorites was "Game On' which I think was the same game show that you are referring to. That always made me laugh! I want to say that show was going on the first year that Paramount owned the park. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 As far as the original shows at the Festhaus... here are some Grainy print/ad images... The first two are of "World of Christmas" - the first show to play the Festhaus during Winterfest 1982. The third is of "World Cabaret" that played the 1983 spring/summer/fall season. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 For posterity, here's grainy concept art for the Festhaus, as well as a pic of how it actually looked when it was first built. Trivia: For 1983, the existing Beirgarten was remodeled and the bridge that extended over the Octoberfest pond was added - as to drive traffic between the two venues. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric FL Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 Thank you for the photos, is my child memory correct about the interior gazebos left and right of the main stage, or something I dreamed up? Do you think there is chance now that the exterior has been restored that they may restore the interior and bring back the ceiling streamers and wall murals, or is it destined to just be a food court? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 I believe there were "gazebos" on stage right and left. You can vaguely see them in the concept picture of "World Cabaret" performers in my first reply above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TombraiderTy Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 @Eric FL This scan of an old newspaper article was just shared by Trace Eggers in the KIHistory Facebook group and appears to show one of the gazebos you're remembering. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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