10 Things You Didn't Know About Dayton Germanfest Picnic
After an enthusiastic reception from the neighbors and the general public last year, the 39th Annual Germanfest Picnic will return to the historic St. Anne's Hill neighborhood for 2022.
10 Things You Didn't Know About Dayton Germanfest Picnic
Dayton Germanfest Picnic invites you to “Get YOUR Gemütlichkeit on” August 12-14, 2022! Though an imperfect translation, the invitation is to come, be cheerful, friendly, and comfortable. The fact that this event is celebrating its 39th year is evidence that we Daytonians really know how to and enjoy “Getting OUR Gemütlichkeit on”.
Admission is FREE!
Based at the Liederkranz-Turner clubhouse in beautiful, historic St. Anne's Hill and adjoining Fifth Street, the Germanfest Picnic features traditional German food, bier, music, cultural displays, a kinder korner, souvenirs, crafts, other vendors, and a Polka Mass on Sunday. There is truly something for everyone.
FREE parking is available on Saturday and Sunday at Stivers High School and all weekend at the the SOITA Center at Fifth and Keowee Streets. Just follow the signs.
Things you may not know about the Germanfest Picnic:- Dayton Liederkranz-Turner was granted a charter as a singing club in 1890, making them the OLDEST German-American club in the area
- They have “Potato Peeling Parties” the week before the picnic (photo, right)
- 1500 Pounds of the world’s best Potato Salad are our reward for their labor! (If you want to know how to make it, you have to help!)
- 60 Roasters, over 700 pounds, of Sauerkraut is expertly seasoned with spices, bacon fat and pieces of pork and made especially for the picnic by the Eintracht Singing Society
- 1200 pounds of specially seasoned Bratwurst will be wolfed down
- 300 pounds of Mettwurst will be gobbled up
- 3,000 Pork Tenderloins will be transformed into delicious Pork Schnitzel
- 3,000 Brötchen (Traditional German Rolls) baked locally by Evans Bakery will be consumed
- 600 pieces of Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake) our signature dessert will be devoured
- 200 Cream Puffs will be scarfed down
Germanfest Picnic Schedule
- Friday, August 12 5PM-11PM
- Saturday, August 13 11AM-11PM
- Sunday, August 14 11 AM-4PM (Polka Mass at 10a.m.)
For more information, see www.GermanfestDayton.com
How it all started:
In 1983 Dayton Foundation President Fred Bartenstein asked Wanda Wiedman to create something like the Oktoberfest Dayton Art Institute produces each fall. Wanda suggested a summer picnic; Fred went for it and the first Germanfest Picnic took place in 1984. The first year there was no electricity or music and members brought their own grills. In year two the Sauerkraut German Band composed of military and civilian members from WPAFB played music. By year three bands from Austria and Germany were added, the festival expanded to two days and later the entire weekend.
Dayton Liederkranz-Turner German Club's purpose is to promote and preserve German culture and traditions in the Miami Valley. DLT presents the Germanfest Picnic annually. Funds raised at the picnic enable them to preserve the Miami Valley’s rich German heritage in addition to providing several scholarships.
Links & Tags
Dayton Liederkranz Turner.
