Goettafest: A Cincinnati Tradition You’ve Gotta Try

Every city has it's thing. Chicago has deep dish. Philly has cheesesteaks. And Cincinnati? We’ve got goetta.

If you’re not from around here, you might be wondering what exactly goetta is—and why there’s an entire festival dedicated to it. Let us explain.

What Is Goetta, Anyway?

Goetta (pronounced get-uh) is a Cincinnati classic—a savory, crispy, pork-and-oat sausage that traces its roots back to German immigrants. It started as a way to stretch meat during tough times, but it became something much more: a breakfast icon, a regional obsession, and for many of us, a non-negotiable weekend ritual.

Welcome to Goettafest

Each summer, the Queen City throws an all-out celebration of this local legend at Glier’s Goettafest—an eight-day festival spread across two weekends in Newport, Kentucky, right along the Ohio River.

It’s more than just a food fest. It’s a full-blown Cincinnati cultural experience with live music, carnival games, local vendors, and every type of goetta creation you can imagine. Goetta pizza? Yep. Goetta egg rolls? You bet. Goetta ice cream? Somehow, that too.

Cincy Shirts x Goettafest: A Glorious Partnership

At Cincy Shirts, we don’t just love Goettafest—we’re proud to be part of it. Every year, we set up shop right in the heart of the action with our official Goettafest merch booth, stocked with festival-exclusive designs and all your goetta-themed favorites.

Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, a stop at the Cincy Shirts booth is a must. We’ve got the tees, tanks, and totes that let you rep your love for goetta long after the last bite. And trust us—we design them with the same pride and weirdness that makes this city (and this festival) so special.

What to Expect

• Food, food, and more food – 25+ vendors creating culinary chaos with goetta as the star.

• Live music all day long – from local bands to tribute acts, the party doesn’t stop.

• A riverside view that can’t be beat – grab a goetta mac & cheese cone and watch the sun set over the Ohio.

• Family-friendly fun – giant games, kids’ zones, inflatables, and all the fried goodness you can handle.

• Cincy Shirts booth – snag your annual Goettafest tee before they sell out.

Local Love, Loud and Clear

Goettafest isn’t just about the food—it’s about community. It’s about honoring our weird little corner of the country and everything that makes it great. It’s about bringing people together over something crispy and delicious and uniquely ours.

We’re proud to be part of that story, and even prouder to see our shirts all over the levee every summer.

Pro Tips

• Split dishes with friends. You’ll want to try everything.

• Come early, stay late. There’s always more to do, see, and eat.

• Check our booth for exclusive merch. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

• Bring napkins. Seriously. This stuff is messy in the best way.

See You There

Whether you come for the goetta, the skyline views, or just to say hey to the Cincy Shirts crew, Goettafest is a Cincinnati summer tradition worth showing up for. Come hungry, come weird, and come ready to celebrate everything that makes this city so deliciously different.

See you at the booth!