The 2024 Gemuetlichkeit Days King and Queen are Tony and Annie Wedl.

Tony is the second of three sons born to Rick and Rosie Wedl of Jefferson. He grew up in Jefferson, attending St. John the Baptist grade school and graduating from Jefferson High School in 2000. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelor’s degree and later earned a Master's degree from Wichita State University in Kansas. Tony has been working for Frank Liquor of Middleton in sales for the past seven years. Tony currently serves on the board of the United Way of Jefferson and Walworth counties and also started the holiday toy drive, Pack the Parlor, which just finished its ninth giving season.

Annie is the first of two daughters born to Tim and Peggy Bare of Jefferson. She grew up in Jefferson, attending St. John's Lutheran grade school and graduating from Lakeside Lutheran High School in 2007. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor's degree. Annie is a Co-owner of Draeger's Floral in Watertown with her business partner Linda Kraemer. They have owned and operated Draeger's Floral for the past eight years. Annie currently serves on the board of the Watertown Main Street Program.

The royal couple were married in 2017 at Jefferson's Rotary Park. They will celebrate their 7th wedding anniversary the week of the festival. The couple are new parents, welcoming son Asher in May of 2023. They have enjoyed the new adventures of parenthood and are excited to share this festival season with their son. The couple lives on the mighty Rock River and enjoy spending time outdoors with their son and giant pup Shula.

The Queen's maternal side has second and third great grandparents that emigrated from Germany to the Waterloo, Farmington, and Jefferson areas. The Queen's paternal line includes past Gemuetlichkeit days royalty - King Andy and Queen Marcia Bare. Her paternal line includes an 8th great grandmother that emigrated from Elsace, Germany in 1733. The Queen's 7th great grandmother was born in Pennsylvania and married the Queen's 7th great grandfather who was born in Wirthenback, Germany, in 1722 and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1744. Their son was born in 1749 and is listed as a private in the Revolutionary war.

King Wedl's 3rd great grandparents arrived in 1849 from Eschenbach, Bavaria, Germany, settling and farming in the Jefferson area. With other 3rd great grandparents arriving from the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, in 1854 and also settling and farming 300+ acres right in the Jefferson area.

The King and Queen would like to thank Jeff and Deb Hans, Corby and Bethany Stallman, and Glenn and Amber Fleming for bringing them into the Gemuetlichkeit Family. They are grateful for all the support over the past few months. They are honored to represent Jefferson and the Gemuetlichkeit Days organization as the 2024 King and Queen.

Here’s to celebrating our Linden Roots at the 53rd Gemuetlichkeit Days Festival!