The Richtfest, or builders' party, was held on Saturday evening, July 31st. Cars filled the Willow Creek parking lot and the land just west of the haus/barn site, as people were milling around the haus/barn. Visitors included Manning residents, members of the German-American Society of Omaha, and other visitors.

Doug Hilsabeck was grilling hamburgers and bratwurst, and serving chips and pop. A large crowd had formed at the north end of the haus/barn. Stephan Pongs and Heinz Voss, German natives working on the project, were wearing traditional carpenter attire, dressed in black corduroy pants and vest. Jan Matzen and Malte Christiansen climbed the roof of the haus/barn, hanging wreaths before the ceremony.

The ceremony began at approximately 6:30 p.m., and the master of ceremonies, Robert Gaffney, talked to the large audience. Standing in the haus/barn, he had some perspective on just how old the structure is. He said the haus/barn was built 100 years after the Spanish conquered the Incas.

The president of the Manning Heritage Foundation, Ruth Ohde, spoke to the audience. Heinz Wurner Arens, president of the State Assembly for the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, was also there. He gave a speech, with the help of Volker Liebeseller, interpreting for Arens.

Arens said the project is great, and is not only a historical landmark, but a symbol for the community. It represents a link between the past and the future, connecting Manning to the Schleswig-Holstein area of Germany. He said it combines the heritage of the German tradition with the heritage of the Iowa farming tradition, making a "very interesting combination."

He said it not only joins the two countries, but also brings the people from the Manning community together. It has taken the spirit of the people to erect this physical piece.

Stephan Pongs and Heinz Voss then climbed to the top of the haus/barn, hanging the Richtkranz. A microphone was attached to Pongs as he gave his speech and blessing of the haus/barn from atop the roof. His voice was booming across the countryside, as he fluently spoke the German language. Ceremony watchers were given a translation of the speech, and Pongs drank wine honoring the carpentry trade, the community, and the haus/barn.

Small groups of murmuring and laughter could be heard as Pongs was downing glasses of wine. There was concern that if he drank too much, he might come down the wrong way. Pongs said the haus/bam would be blessed with the shattering of his glass, which he then threw from the top of the haus/barn onto a square of bricks. The crowd clapped and cheered following the glass-breaking.

Dan Peters, haus/barn project coordinator and city mayor, also spoke. He said he was impressed with the work Martin Peter Hansen, the master carpenter, had done. He said the haus/barn wouldn't be at the stage it is today without them, giving credit to Hansen, Malte Christiansen, Jan Matzen, Stephan Pongs, and Heinz Voss.

Peters presented Hansen, Christiansen, and Matzen with a Manning Heritage Throw, thanking them for their work.

The German and American National Anthems were also sung by Der Manning Liederkranz.

Pongs and Voss played a clapping game later that evening, Voss said it's called a Zimmermannklatsch. It's an old tradition in Germany, taking place at roofing parties. He said there are normally ten or more people clapping as they sit in a line, singing along.

Martin Peter Hansen, Malte Christiansen, and Jan Matzen left Manning on Monday, August 2nd. Stephan Pongs will be leaving August 15th, and Heinz Voss will be here until August 22nd, possibly longer depending on how long the finishing touches take.