June in Kendall County means summer is in full swing—sunlit evenings, community celebrations, and the welcome hum of tradition echoing down Main Street. And there’s no better reflection of that spirit than Das Festival of Kendall. As one of its founding board members, I’ve had the privilege of seeing this event grow from an idea among friends into a full-fledged celebration of culture, tradition, and togetherness. But more than the food, music, or parade, Das Festival is about something deeper: remembering who we are.
In a world moving at breakneck speed, where identity is often reduced to hashtags and headlines, events like this remind us that true belonging starts at home. Kendall County has a rich and layered story—one built by German immigrants, ranching families, veterans, craftsmen, and faithful citizens who knew that strength comes from shared values. Faith. Family. Hard work. Honor. These aren’t just words—they’re threads woven into the fabric of this place.
Das Festival doesn’t celebrate the past for nostalgia’s sake. It celebrates the people and principles that built Kendall County in the first place. It honors the generations who came before us and encourages us to ask: What are we leaving behind for the next?
At this year’s Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, Boerne Mayor Frank Ritchie—who was just re-elected to continue his service to the people of Boerne—said something that stuck with me: “Boerne is bigger than its City limits.” And he’s right. Our sense of community has never been confined by a map. Das Festival may march down Main Street, but its heartbeat comes from every corner of Kendall County—from Comfort to Sisterdale, Waring to Welfare, Bergheim to Boerne. It’s a festival for all of us.
There’s something powerful about shared rituals—parades, prayers, dancing in the street, or simply standing shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors who share your love for this place. These aren’t just quaint traditions. They’re how we pass on the culture, values, and sense of place that bind us together. In that sense, Das Festival isn’t just a good time—it’s a sacred responsibility.
When we gather in the heart of Boerne, we’re not only paying tribute to our German roots. We’re also celebrating our modern-day mosaic—a County made stronger by its diversity, yet united by a shared commitment to faith, family, and freedom. We celebrate the moms and dads who serve on booster clubs and bass fishing teams, the business owners who donate their time, talent, and treasure, the volunteers who show up rain or shine, and the kids who learn what it means to belong.
These moments—when we laugh together, sing together, pray together, and raise a glass to where we’ve been—matter more than we realize. They tether us to something solid in a world that often feels like it’s floating. They remind us that heritage isn’t something kept under glass in a museum. It’s alive. It’s meant to be worn, sung, tasted, toasted, and passed down.
And as we gather this June, we also celebrate something deeply personal: Father’s Day. For me, it’s a time to reflect on the example set by my own father—a man who never saw community service as optional. He taught me that showing up, lending a hand, and giving more than you take isn’t just good citizenship—it’s good manhood. Whether it was volunteering at church, helping a neighbor, or quietly paying for someone’s groceries, my dad lived a life of quiet generosity. That spirit is alive in Kendall County, and it’s something I hope we continue to pass down. Because a strong community isn’t built by spectators—it’s built by those willing to serve. They tether us to something solid in a world that often feels like it’s floating. They remind us that heritage isn’t something kept under glass in a museum. It’s alive. It’s meant to be worn, sung, tasted, toasted, and passed down.
The Kendall Gentleman was founded in that same spirit. We don’t publish this magazine to impress anyone. We do it to remember who we are and to remind each other that the good, the true, and the beautiful are still worth pursuing. In a culture that often forgets what matters, we choose to remember.
So this June, as the streets fill with music and the air carries the scent of sausage and strudel, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on what it means to be part of something bigger. Whether you’re marching in the parade, clapping from the curb, or sharing a story over a cold beer, you’re helping write the next chapter of the Kendall County story.
And that’s worth celebrating.
So dust off your lederhosen and fluff your dirndls, and come join me at Das Festival on Boerne’s Main Plaza this Father’s Day Weekend. Let’s raise a toast to heritage, to fatherhood, and to a community that knows how to celebrate what matters most.
Until next time,
Michael G. Ethridge
Publisher, The Kendall Gentleman
