The celebration - which is free to attend - kicks off at noon on Saturday, 19 August at Wenzel’s Park in Marshfield, with a concert by brother-sister team Jocelyn & Chris.
The siblings from Upstate New York are known for their high-energy alternative rock and write all their music together, charting five consecutive commercial radio singles in the Billboard AAA Top 40 and taken two records to #1 on the Relix Jambands Top 30.
The Wenzel's 75th party will also be jam-packed with family-friendly fun and record-breaking activities, like a karaoke competition.
“As a company we couldn’t be more excited and honoured to celebrate this incredible milestone,” said Wenzel’s president Mark Vieth, adding it presents the perfect occasion to “thank our employees and community for all of their support of the years.”
Deep roots
While a diamond jubilee is certainly something to celebrate, the award-winning meat processor’s foundations actually go back further.
The Wenzel Farm was started in 1850 by Henry and Margarette Wenzel, who had immigrated from Darmstadt, Germany, with their six children. The Wenzels were a farming family but also brought with them the craft of sausage making.
This heritage was brought to the fore when William K (son) set up a meat shop in Marshfield in 1901. Various business transformations followed and in 1916, William K turned his attention back to the farm, bringing his son (Harry C) on board to help manage the cattle-buying business.
As the business grew, the Wenzel’s remodelled the 29th Street farm’s dairy barn, adding holding pens, a cooler and a slaughterhouse.
William K passed away in October 1942, handing the reins over to Harry C, who founded the company - Wenzel’s Farm - in 1949 with his sons, Harry J and William.
Still operating out of the original barn in which the brand originated - albeit expanded by an additional 8,000 square feet in 2022 - the snack producer’s portfolio today comprises a myriad of high-protein, smoked meat products that have won dozens of awards.
It scooped up two national awards last year, including the CSP 2022 Retailer’s Choice Best New Products award for its Smoked BBQ and Sweet & Spicy Beef Jerky; and CStore Decisions’ Hot New Products Award for its Dill Pickle flavoured meat stick.
From a local meat shop to a national brand available in over 8,000 retail locations across the US, as well as internationally - Wenzel’s continues to grow, acquiring new products and adapting to industry trends.
However, while sausage stuffing technology has changed - “Everything is computerised now,” said Veith - and the company has more than doubled its workforce, it maintains its commitment to tradition, quality and community.
According to the company, it all starts with award-winning ingredients. Only the best cuts of beef and pork are used for all its 14 snack stick and five jerky offerings. This is seasoned with a family recipe of selected spices - absolutely no fillers or binders - and naturally smoked ‘for hours on end’ to imbue the rich hue of hardwood hickory.
“We have a commitment to quality in our products and service that is not compromised,” said Veith.
“The ability to focus on our strengths and react to the changing needs of our customer base and the ability of long-term employees and new employees to look at ways to continuously improve has been important to our success.”
“With our 75th Anniversary, we wanted to thank our employees, and community for all of their support of the years."
Stay tuned to social media for further events taking place at the diamond jubilee party.
