Article published August 24, 2008 TIPPING A GLASS TO HERITAGE Oregon festival toasts German food, traditions Music, kids' activities on tap today
Shawn Sieg of Temperance, Mich., takes a drink of his beer during the German-American Festival in Oregon. As many as 25,000 people are expected to attend the 43rd annual event.
(
THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY
)
It's good to be German — in descent or in spirit — at the 43rd annual German-American Festival in Oregon.
This weekend at Oak Shade Grove, festival attendees will consume 18,000 sausages, more than a ton of potato salad, and untold gallons of beer.
The festivities can best be characterized by the German word 'gemuetlichkeit,' which roughly translates to 'good hospitality,' Lois Lynch, 72, said.
'It's a German party,' said Mrs. Lynch, a member of Dayton Liederkranz-Turner, a German-American choir.
'We love to put on a party.'
Late last night and early into the morning, festival attendees danced to German music and consumed cream puffs and the finest in German brews.
Today, the merrymaking continues with the traditional children's Hummel Look-Alike contest, the Deutschmeister German Band, and the American Turners' Gymnastic Exhibition.
As many as 25,000 people are expected to attend Toledo's oldest and largest ethnic festival before it concludes tonight.
Many travel from throughout the region, festival chairman Timothy Pecsenye said.
The annual celebration is one of the best around, choir members say.
'The facilities are hard to match anywhere,' said John Koerner, 67, a choir member, who has traveled to Germany and helps to organize the Dayton German festival.
'You can't find this type of thing, except in Germany. It's pretty spectacular.'
The festival is hosted by seven local German and Swiss-American clubs.
Among the top attractions is the beer selection, which includes two dozen varieties.
Specialty beers from the 2008 German Bier Tour are served in the Wein Garten and Hofbrau Halle.
As for solid sustenance, attendees can choose from the Schlachte Platte, a sausage platter, or the Schweinshaxen Platte, pork shank with potato salad.
Or try the leberkaes, a grilled veal loaf.
In lighter fare, there are sauerkraut balls and cheese.
Traditional music can be heard continuously.
Headliners Die Fichtler Buam of Steinach, Germany, will play at 5 p.m. today.
Homer the Clown will offer face painting. Children's rides will be free from 1 to 3 p.m. today.
Colleen Biggie, 43, of Oregon, requested off work a year in advance to volunteer at the festival.
She is a member of the Bavarian Sports Club, a German-American club.
Her parents were members when a blood test was required to prove one's Bavarian lineage.
The club now admits members of all ethnicities and focuses on promoting athletic activities for all ages. Volunteering is a full-time job over three days, she said. But, she added, it's worth it to see people dancing and enjoying themselves.
'This is a very big weekend,' Ms. Biggie said. 'It's what we are all about.'
Contact Angie Schmitt at: aschmitt@theblade.com or 419-724-6104. Permanent Link
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