Dayton Ohio - Germanfest Picnic

2023 Germanfest Picnic in historic St. Anne's Hill

Germanfest has been voted #3 festival in the region and were named by the Dayton Daily News as being in the top 11 food festivals in the region.

There are a few festivals that celebrate German traditions around the city, but this fest dives deeper, to give a glimpse of the German heritage that has given Dayton some of its cultural identity – all while enjoying an import beer and a schnitzel.

The Germanfest Picnic is back with all the Gemuetlichkeit and many of the activities our visitors have come to know and love: lots of that delicious homemade German food, plenty of fantastic German and domestic bier and wein, your favorite bands playing in the biergarten, the Polka Mass, Culture Display, Kinder Korner and food and craft vendors.

The heart of the festivities is the Dayton Liederkranz Turner Clubhouse at 1400 E. Fifth Street in one of Dayton’s original German neighborhoods, with the footprint of the festival extending to include part of East Fifth Street from Keowee to Dutoit Streets. 

Continuous live entertainment

Patrons can enjoy continuous live music all three days featuring the Klaberheads from Hamilton, OH, Dayton favorite Band 5 and the Aaron Dussing Band out of the Cleveland area.  A huge tent will offer plenty of shade with tables and chairs to enjoy the live music and dance floor, in addition to hosting lunch and dinner seating. 

Authentic German Fare

Tasty picnic fare includes German schnitzel, sausages, cabbage rolls, our famous potato salad, sauerkraut, sandwiches, a wide selection of beverages including a robust selection of draft and bottled German beers, homemade German desserts and ice cream, funnel cakes, Bavarian almonds, and more! 

Celebrate German Traditions

The weekend is full of activities for the whole family - beginning with the traditional Opening Ceremony on Friday evening hosted by TV2 Weather personality, Brian Davis.  The Dayton Liederkranz Turner Scholarship Award winners will be announced following the keg tapping ceremony.  Vendors will line Fifth Street, offering a wide variety of food, German clothing and souvenirs, crafts, and community information. 

Traditional Polka Mass

Enjoy a traditional Polka Mass at 10 AM on Sunday, presided over by Fr. Dave Schmitt, with live music provided by the Klaberheads Band.  TV2 Meteorologist Jamie Jarosik moderates the much-anticipated Deutsches Trachtenschau (German fashion show) where traditional German attire will be on display, at 2:30 PM on Saturday afternoon.  The Kinder Korner provides games and activities for our youngest visitors, including a puppet show which will be presented several times throughout the weekend.

Culture Booth

The Culture Booth is staffed by volunteers who can discuss German heritage and travel as well as the Liederkranz Turner Club itself.  The theme for this year's Culture Booth is SPIELWAREN – The German Tradition of Toys and Games. The booth will feature games, dolls, stuffed animals, and other toys – many of which will offer hands-on experiences for our visitors. A game lounge inside the Clubhouse will provide visitors with an opportunity to relax and try out some of the latest Euro Games in air-conditioned comfort. Genealogy volunteers will also be available inside the Clubhouse to help guests investigate their German roots.

The GermanFest Picnic is a genuine German festival with authentic song, dance, food, and traditional clothing.  No other German Festival in the area celebrates and shares the region’s German heritage with such fun and entertainment.  Admission is free and open to the public with 20,000 to 30,000 attending each year. 

Directions to Dayton Liederkranz Turner Clubhouse
The Liederkranz is easy to reach, no matter what direction you are coming from. Just follow your favorite major artery to Main Street in downtown Dayton, then go east on Third Street, to right on Keowee Street to Fifth Street. Watch for the yellow parking signs.  

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Where to Park
Free parking is available at the Stivers HS parking lots and  at the SOITA parking lots, at the corner of Keowee and Fifth Streets. Watch for the yellow signs.