Kermis

Kermesse, or kermis, or kirmess, is a Dutch language term derived from 'kerk' (church) and 'mis' (mass) that became incorporated in French and English. Its origins are originally associated with the mass said on the anniversary of the founding of a church (or the parish) and in honor of the Patron Saint.  Such religious celebrations were regularly held in the Low Countries, in Central Europe and also in Northern France, and were accompanied by feasting, dancing, drinking and sports. 

The Dutch-American Village of Little Chute, Wisconsin, has celebrated Kermis annually since 1981 with a street festival. The Wallonian settlements in Door and Kewaunee Counties have celebrated Kermis with traditional Belgian dishes and events for as long as anyone can remember.  

Traditionally, Kermis around here stretched over several calendar weeks as each small settlement - Namur, Brussels, Rosiere, Little Sturgeon, Forestville, Lincoln, Duvall and Casco celebrated the harvest and the life-giving bounty of food. 

The 2026 Belgian Kermiss Festival took place Sunday at the Belgian Heritage Center in Namur.  This historic harvest festival dates all the way back to 1858.  This event serves as the center's largest annual fundraiser; plus it's a terrific way to get your Booyah fix. 

 

The historic church, school and convent serve as the repository preserving the history and culture of the largest Walloon Belgian settlement in the United States.

 

 

Anyway, there were demonstrations featuring old school mechanized farm machinery powered by early gasoline engines. Cool stuff. 

 

 

 

But this caught my attention. 

 

Driven by the power takeoff on a modern Deere tractor this is technically a diesel-powered ice cream maker.