SAXONBURG — Government officials may not be the only the ones traveling to Germany in the future.

As an extension of the visits traded off annually with sister city Muhlhausen in Germany, other trips could be on the horizon.

Mayor Bill Gillespie, who returned from Muhlhausen last week, said possible student and religious exchanges were discussed.

He said local businesses could become involved with German students interning here.

“They’re highly interested in doing something like that,” Gillespie said about Muhlhausen officials.

From the religious side, he suggested St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church could send someone to Germany for a 2017 celebration honoring theologian Martin Luther.

Lutheranism is the branch of Protestant Christianity that follows the theology of Luther, who translated the New Testament from Greek to German in Wartburg Castle, which is in the vicinity of Muhlhausen.

But the trip wasn’t all business for Gillespie, who had never been to Muhlhausen, and the other guests of the German hosts as they walked cobblestone streets and visited Wartburg on Aug. 29.

“It was an unbelievable trip,” Gillespie said.

The mayor enjoyed seeing the castle and a synagogue dating back to 1200. He said their German hosts kept the Saxonburg party busy.

“They kept us going from the time we arrived to the time we left,” Gillespie said.

Borough secretary Linda Kovacik said the hosts treated them well.

“Everybody enjoyed themselves,” she said. “They’re very gracious.”

Gillespie agreed.

“The people are wonderful,” he said.

Councilman Dave Felsing, the official third guest, said another highlight was participating in the Kermis parade on Aug. 28.

“We walked the whole parade route,” he said.

Felsing said they traveled 2 kilometers, or 1.2 miles.

He noted it’s easier to walk on the roads instead of driving a vehicle, particularly anything larger than a car.

Unlike Butler County volunteer fire department parades, only cars participate in Muhlhausen parades.

“Streets aren’t wide over there,” Felsing said.

He estimated the roads spanning 12 to 15 feet across.

As part of the Kermis festivities, different areas put up tents for people to sample their fare.

“It was a good time,” Felsing said.

He said the Saxonburg group had to limit their tent stops because tradition dictates visitors cannot refuse offers of beer.

“You got to take it or it’s considered an insult,” Felsing said.

The trip was even more memorable for Felsing because he never flew on an airplane.

“That was the first time,” Felsing said.

His anxiety about flying vanished after leaving Pittsburgh Aug. 25 for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, the connection to Frankfurt, Germany.

Felsing was glad he overcame his trepidation.

“It might be the only time I got to Germany,” he said.

This was the fourth trip to Muhlhausen for borough officials since the tradition started in 2008.

Muhlhausen officials visited Saxonburg in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

John Roebling, a co-founder of Saxonburg and designer of the Brooklyn Bridge, was a Muhlhausen native.

Saxonburg, which was founded in 1832, was initially built to resemble a German town.

Many of the Germans did not speak English, leading to the use of gestures.

“We were trying to understand each other,” Gillespie said. “Something we didn’t do exactly.”

He said the late Pam Bauman, his predecessor, was planning on going to Muhlhausen this year.

“Pam really wanted to go on this trip,” Gillespie said.

One night, a German toasted Bauman.

“That meant a lot to everybody,” Gillespie said.

Felsing noted the security is tighter in Europe. The Frankfurt airport wasn’t the only place where that was evident.

“We had security walking with us in the parade,” he said.

Along with the three official guests, the mayor’s wife, Sue Gillespie; former Councilman Mike Lazaroff and his wife, Lynn; and Jack Cohen, Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau president, comprised the contingent.

Everyone paid his own airfare. Muhlhausen covered the remaining expenses for the three guests.

Felsing said they visited a lovely country populated by fine people.

“We couldn’t have asked to be treated any better than we were.”