Your 2019 Festmaster & Frau – Terry & Shelly Cowgill
The Cowgills were introduced to current and former Oktoberfest royalty and local media at a private reception hosted on September 23rd, 2019 by Oktoberfest fixture Gail Cleary. Cleary’s father, Roy Kumm, was the fest’s third festmaster. Cleary’s husband, Russ, was the 28th Festmaster.
Cowgill said he is excited to join the 2019 Oktoberfest family and that he intends to enjoy every minute of his time as festmaster. He has fond memories of marching in the parades as a “front row trombone” in the Caledonia High School marching band, he said, especially during the Torchlight Parade because it takes place at night.
As the “face of the fest,” Cowgill said he expects to be everywhere. “We’ll be making the rounds.”
These rounds include four days of celebrating beer and German culture with tens of thousands of festival goers in La Crosse. The reigning festmaster and the “Royal Family” also visit nursing homes and elementary schools the week after Oktoberfest, and attend about 100 events, including 22 parades, throughout the year.
And it’s not his first rodeo, either.
Cowgill’s son, Jonah, who has autism, was the 2010 Special Fester. The Special Fester recognizes someone in the community with a disability. Cowgill and his wife, Shelly, also a dentist, incorporated a blue puzzle piece, the symbol of Autism Speaks, into their commemorative Festmaster pin design.
The Cowgills also have two daughters, Sophie and Grace.
The Festmaster and Frau made their first official appearance on the back of Russ’ mustard yellow Buick Centurion 455 convertible as it drove from Cleary’s garage to the house, which was decorated with a pair of inflatable pretzels hanging from the balcony.
Former Festmasters and Fraus
| Year | Festmaster | Frau |
|---|---|---|
| 1961-1962 | None | None |
| 1962-1963 | Don Rice* | Lorraine* |
| 1963-1964 | Ray Ping* | Mildred* |
| 1964-1965 | Roy Kumm* | Hope* |
| 1965-1966 | John Coleman* | Adelheid* |
| 1966-1967 | Lincoln Neprud* | Laura* |
| 1967-1968 | Jack Martin | Elsie "Tiny" * |
| 1968-1969 | John Thomas* | Gretchen* |
| 1969-1970 | Hans Zoreb* | Belle* |
| 1970-1971 | Cully Prinz* | Dorothy "Stubby" |
| 1971-1972 | Joe Rohrer* | Evelyn* |
| 1972-1973 | Walt Hammond | Sally* |
| 1973-1974 | Dick Beggs* | Evalyn* |
| 1974-1975 | Jack Custer | M.J. |
| 1975-1976 | Sam Hagerman* | Betty* |
| 1976-1977 | Dave Hammes* | Betty* |
| 1977-1978 | Art Dugan* | Leona* |
| 1978-1979 | Wally Rose* | Helen |
| 1979-1980 | George Frost* | Jan* |
| 1980-1981 | Joe Ludden* | Lyn |
| 1981-1982 | Bob Mullally* | Mary Ann |
| 1982-1983 | John Mooney* | Nettie* |
| 1983-1984 | Quinn Johnson* | Lorraine |
| 1984-1985 | Bernie Degen* | Barbara |
| 1985-1986 | Carl "Cully" Rebhan* | Ruth |
| 1986-1987 | Harry Wiggert* | Beverly* |
| 1987-1988 | Alex Skover* | Fran* |
| 1988-1989 | Steve Pavela | Marian |
| 1989-1990 | Russ Cleary* | Gail |
| 1990-1991 | Duane Taebel* | Carol |
| 1991-1992 | Karl Friedline | Marcia* |
| 1992-1993 | Bill Larkin | Jan |
| 1993-1994 | Bill Otto* | Mary Jo |
| 1994-1995 | Al Becker | Anne |
| 1995-1996 | Howard Voss* | Bernadine |
| 1996-1997 | Deak Swanson | Jeanne |
| 1997-1998 | Duane Moore | Jan |
| 1998-1999 | Steve Webster | Katie |
| 1999-2000 | Rollo Taylor* | Kay |
| 2000-2001 | Lyle Quillin | Sandy |
| 2001-2002 | Tom Sleik | Judy |
| 2002-2003 | Bill Leonard | Kay |
| 2003-2004 | Chris Weiss | Beth |
| 2004-2005 | Ted Dewald | Marlene |
| 2005-2006 | Peter Stinson | Sally |
| 2006-2007 | Terry Collins | Karolyn |
| 2007-2008 | Peter Krause | Krin |
| 2008-2009 | Mike Weissenberger | Joan |
| 2009-2010 | Todd Ondell | Deb |
| 2010-2011 | Ed Przytarski | Eileen |
| 2011-2012 | Jerry Kember | Nan |
| 2012-2013 | Brad Sturm | Lynn |
| 2013-2014 | David Ring | Denise |
| 2014-2015 | Scott Horne | Sue |
| 2015-2016 | Chuck Roth | LuAnn |
| 2016-2017 | Joe Kruse | Barbara |
| 2017-2018 | Brian Rude | Karen |
| 2018-2019 | Mike Keil | Karen |
Festmasters Fun
Who will represent La Crosse as the 2019 Festmaster?
The selection of the Festmaster is one of the oldest and most cherished Fest traditions. The selection process and naming of the new Festmaster is very secret and the mystery only adds to the fun!
The Festmaster heads the Oktoberfest Royal Family and is chosen annually by the Board of Trustees. Once selected, the Board of Trustees Chairman, along with the past year’s Festmaster, mentors the new Festmaster, bringing him up to speed on his duties, expectations, and appearances.
The new Festmaster & Frau are announced at the Festmaster’s Ball, held yearly in August.
Nominations for the 2019 Festmaster are now being accepted and will close January 7th!
Oktoberfest USA (La Crosse Festivals, Inc.) accepts nominations for Festmaster near the end of the calendar year. If you know a man who is deserving, involved, and would be a great fit in our community-focused organization, submit your nomination below!
Nominations will be accepted for a man who is…
- married
- age 50 or older
- a resident for at least 10 years within 20 mile radius of La Crosse
- actively involved and well-known in La Crosse community
- has the time to devote to Oktoberfest activities!
The following information is required to complete the nomination:
- Name of the nominee
- Nominee’s address & contact information
- Nominee’s biographical information – this would include such information as occupation, community or volunteer service, church involvement, professional activities, community or professional awards
- Nominator’s name and personal comments as to why they have submitted nominee’s name
Nominate your pick for 2019 Festmaster online below:
If you prefer to mail a written nomination, please send it to:
Oktoberfest Board of Trustees
La Crosse Festivals / Oktoberfest
P.O. Box 1716
La Crosse, WI 54602-1716
The final selection is made by the Board of Trustees however all nominations are kept on file for three years from the date of submission. New Festmasters are announced at the Festmaster’s Ball celebration.