The Richtfest itself is an old German tradition of having a blessing, or topping- off ceremony when a new house is built. This celebration was thrown for the workmen who had come into town to assist or build the house for the home owner after the roof had been erected. This was the point where their work was done and they were off to another town for a new project.

The overall point of the Richtfest is to celebrate all of the hard work, and usher in the house with a good blessing. In some towns, it is customary to have the parish Pastor perform a traditional blessing on the house. In other regions it is customary for the home owner to throw the Richfest. If he chooses not to do so, an old broom is nailed to the gable ridge to show the rest of the town that he was too cheap to do so. Of course, no one would want this, so the Richtfest became a standard which is still done today.