he village of Eustis, known as the "Sausage Capitol of
Nebraska," is nestled in the hills between the Platte and
Republican rivers, only 13 miles south of Interstate 80 in
Frontier County.
Founded by mostly German immigrants, Eustis keeps its
heritage alive with its June celebration known as Wurst Tag
(Sausage Day). Wurst Tag activities include the early morning
volksmarch and 5K obstacle course and village parade. There
are heritage contests, games, demonstrations, a car show and
displays.
The day concludes with a large German dinner with authentic
sausages and pretzels made by Eustis bakers. Enjoy some
Nachtische (a German dessert) and hit the polka and American
street dance under the stars for live entertainment.
Along with rolling hills, visitors will encounter deep, rugged
canyons beautiful and unique for photographers and outdoor
enthusiasts. Plum Creek, Gallagher Canyon, Johnson and Elwood
lakes give visitors easy access to several water sports, fishing,
hunting, camping, boating and golfing.
The lakes are connected by a series of canals where floating
down the canal between Gallagher Canyon and Plum Creek
Lake on an inner tube, canoe or kayak offers a different
outdoor experience. The area provides beneficial habitat
where many species of animals and birds can be seen.
Anglers catch channel catfish, sauger, walleye and a variety
of panfish that thrive in the canals and lakes. Paddlefish have
also been released at
Gallagher in hopes
to provide another
type of fishing for anglers in
the future.
Eustis is also home to the Village Piemaker. This enterprise makes
15 different varieties of ready-to-bake fruit pies delivered to outlets
across Nebraska and the United States, producing 12,000 pies a
week.
Gregg Wolf and Doug and Deb Breinig started the Lone Wolf
Wurst Meats Company in 2011, and produce summer sausage,
polish sausage, brats, hard-tack meat sausage and marinated
prime rib. Many of the recipes for the sausages are more than
100 years old. Wolf's grandfather, an immigrant from Germany,
made these same recipes on the farm and hung the sausages in
his attic to dry.
The village of Eustis remains a pleasant surprise for visitors,
connected to its history while providing the fun, and food,
people have come to love. ■
By Julie Geiser
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Frontie
Eustis
The
Eustis
German
Market
Edibles
from
Eustis
Canoe
fishing
at
Gallagher
Canyon
Eustis
Plan your visit to Eustis. P
