FREEPORT — Downtown Freeport made history on April 25 as community members gathered for the inaugural Great Pretzel Bite, a new signature event held during the Greater Freeport Partnership’s annual Pretzel Fest celebration.
A total of 216 participants joined together in downtown Freeport to simultaneously take a bite of their pretzels, officially establishing the benchmark for future Great Pretzel Bite records in Pretzel City USA. The event created a memorable moment of community pride while celebrating Freeport’s long-standing pretzel heritage and unique identity.
Hosted in the heart of downtown, the event was designed to bring residents, families, visitors, and local businesses together in a positive, family-friendly atmosphere centered around connection, tradition, and community spirit. As the city proudly known as Pretzel City USA, Freeport embraced the opportunity to create an experience that was both meaningful and uniquely its own.
“The Great Pretzel Bite was created to celebrate what makes Freeport special—our history, our traditions, and our people,” said Partnership Marketing & Tourism Director Nicole Haas. “Seeing more than 200 people come together for one shared moment was an incredible reminder of the pride and energy that exists in this community.”
Pretzels for the event were generously provided by Julius Sturgis Pretzels, recognized as the oldest continuously operating commercial pretzel bakery in the United States. The bakery is located in Freeport’s Pretzel Sister City, Lititz, PA, further strengthening the connection between two communities known for their pretzel traditions.
The Greater Freeport Partnership extends its thanks to all participants, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners who helped make the inaugural event a success and looks forward to building on the tradition in future years.
The Greater Freeport Partnership is a catalyst for dynamic economic growth, fostering an inclusive environment where businesses thrive, and our community prospers. We are dedicated to nurturing new opportunities while enriching the fabric of Freeport and Stephenson County.
