Porta Westfalica Festival

Every year, on the 3rd Tuesday of the month of June, the community of Waterloo joins together to celebrate our sister city status with Porta Westfalica, Germany.

The Porta Westfalica Festival began in 1981 after Sister Cities, Portaloo was founded in the fall of 1980. The event includes a parade, German music, food, and beverages, booths, and rides for children.

The festival is located in downtown Waterloo, at the Monroe County Courthouse grounds, as well as the surrounding streets. A beer and wine garden is located on the corner of Main and Third Street, with inflatable rides on Mill Street.

The parade begins at 6 p.m. at Gibault Catholic High School, traveling on Columbia Avenue towards Main Street, turning South onto Mill Street, and traveling to the corner of Mill Street and South Library Street.

Join us for great food! Enjoy BBQ pork steaks & brats, potato pancakes with applesauce, pretzels, ice cream, funnel cakes, and so much more!!

Armbands are available for the inflatable rides. May be purchased in advance at area banks.  An armband allows unlimited access to all of the inflatable rides for the entire evening. Sorry, no refunds on advance sales. 

Food is served beginning at 4 p.m. at the courthouse square. Bring your lawn chairs and join us for a fantastic evening!! (Last call is 10 p.m.)

Music Entertainment Schedule:

Check back for the 2024 schedule.

The Porta Westfalica festival is brought to you by Sister Cities – Portaloo, the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, and the Waterloo Lions.

For information on participating in the parade, please contact Jared Nobbe at jnobbe@snpartners.com.

For information on being a vendor, please contact Chris Herrmann at chamber@htc.net.

For all other general questions, please contact Chris Herrmann at chamber@htc.net.