Hanging out at Blob's

Looking at that title makes me think that I have been to fat camp or something. However, after all the fried cheese and wurst I consumed, I might need such a place. On Saturday evening, at the request of some friends, my wife and I and several other friends headed off to Blob's Park in Jessup, MD, just up the road from the Maryland Prison at Jessup.

Here is the history, as found on the website and printed on the menu:

In 1933, Max Blob, wanting to have a gathering place for his friends from the old country, built a small frame building on his farm in Jessup, MD. It housed a bowling alley and a few tables. It became so popular that he opened it to the public as a German beer garden with dancing every weekend. The building has been periodically enlarged.

In 1942, John and Katherine Eggerl, Max's niece, began helping him manage the business. As their children and grandchildren have come along, they have also become a working part of the establishment.

On February 22, 1958 the hall was completely gutted by fire, but within a month it was restored and re-opened to become more successful than ever. In recent years it became apparent that in order to accommodate the crowds, a new building would have to be built. This dream became a reality on June 25, 1976 when the all new Blob's Park opened it's doors.

There was lots of polka-ing along with other dancing. I might admit to doing the hokey-pokey. There were the classic "chicken dance" along with modern "favorites," the Macarena and the Electric Slide. As mentioned earlier, there was good German food and beer to be had.

Our group all decided that we would come back again. We did meet someone there who comes every Friday and Saturday night and has been doing so for 20 years. That's dedication.

The building itself is a marvel to behold. The most random decorations, including a letter from the late Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun, who celebrated his 85th birthday at Blob's Park. There is a very nice portrait of the pope, Benedict XVI. Off in one corner, I even managed to find some archival content. There was a small poster with the story of Oktoberfest and at the bottom: "Source: Smithsonian Institution."