The Town of Elberta found a link more than 30 years ago, which could bring in crowds to fill the streets while raising funds for the fire department at the same time.

That link was actually thousands of links of sausage, which were sold along with other traditional German fare in Elberta’s park this weekend to thousands of hungry festivalgoers.

The festival, which is held twice a year to benefit the volunteer fire department and the town, is the only place where sausage made with this particular recipe can be purchased. According to organizers, the limited availability of the secret recipe sausage is what keeps visitors coming back year after year, and in some cases twice a year.

The funds raised from this past weekend’s festival will go toward paying off a new fire truck that was purchased in 2008 and to purchase other equipment the fire department needs according to Seth Fuller, Elberta Fire Department administrative chief.

On Saturday, visitors could be seen toting grocery bags loaded with sausages to take home and freeze to last them through the winter, until they can get more at the next festival in March.

By 10 a.m., it became almost impossible to find parking within a block of the festival grounds. Despite the walk, it was apparent where the festival was taking place; one could either follow the crowd headed that way or follow the smoke, which would lead them directly to the grills where the sausage links were cooking all day.

The festival began at 8 a.m. on Saturday and by 10 a.m. the lines were already growing lengthy and the tables under the tents were already full to capacity. As lunchtime drew closer the lines got even longer.

“The weather was great, and we had a very strong crowd on hand. We consider the festival a success,” Fuller said.

Festival organizers sold 7,000 pounds of sausage at this past weekend’s festival. Within mere hours it had all been sold. Fuller said the festival began wrapping up around 5 p.m. 

Fuller said there were about 20 people who prepared the sausage and many of them were members of the First Class Petty Officer Association from Pensacola.

The festival offered other ways to lighten wallets and fill stomachs as well as entertainment for children and adults alike.

Festivalgoers also enjoyed filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans and rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, funnel cakes, popcorn, peanuts and Greek food, as well.

The grounds were scattered with retail vendors selling goods that included personalized handbags, bottles and cups, jewelry, clothing, spices and other crafts.

Organizers estimate that there were more than 200 arts and crafts vendors at this past weekend’s festival.

There were also sand art and pony rides available for children and children were also able to play on the playground that is always in the park.

The next festival will be held March 26, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It is estimated more than 25,000 people attended the Elberta Sausage Festival this past weekend. More than 30,000 guests and more than 10,000 pounds of secret recipe Elberta German sausage resulted in a considerable amount of money raised for Elberta and a lot of satisfied appetites.

Fuller said he thinks the sausage festival is a an event that everyone would enjoy.

“The festival is a great event for the family to come out and enjoy. We try to keep the prices on the sausage reasonable, as we understand today’s financial hardships on everybody. We plan our event with family in mind, as our families attend the event as well. We want to make the festival something our families, and our town, can be proud of. We think anybody who attends the event can feel that,” said Fuller.

Fuller also said this was the first time that wireless internet access has been offered in the park, which allowed vendors to take credit cards and for there to be ATM machines on site. Fuller said every festival they try to improve and expand.