For 111 years, German immigrants, their descendants and friends have been celebrating their heritage with a festival known as German Day or German Summer Fest.
The fest is most authentic since the management, preparation and work is all volunteer, drawn from the 11 individual clubs that constitute the Federation of German American Societies Inc. Thankfully we are joined by many friends who also volunteer to help and have fun with us. On Wednesday of fest week, 10 5-gallon buckets of sauerkraut is cooked and on Thursday, 700 pounds of Colby’s potatoes are transformed into German potato salad by a cadre of knife wielding women and a man or two – if they slice them properly. Several ladies are the mixologists, who rarely give out the recipe.
Supporting the salad and sauerkraut are typical German Festival meat items such as bratwurst, bauern wurst, hot dogs and hamburgers. Beverages of most types are also available, as well as a variety of desserts and coffee.
After an absence of several years, the “Glueckshafen” will return. This is rack of almost 100 items that are numbered and can be won by purchasing small rolled up pieces of paper that may have a number on them; something for children of all ages. People can also participate in the beer stein competition and win additional prizes. This is a shuffleboard type game where the player slides a beer stein attempting to have it stop on the target near the other end.
This year’s fest will be held at the Spencerport Fireman’s Field on Friday, August 7, from 4 to 11 p.m. and on Saturday, August 8, from noon to 11 p.m. Music, dancing and German folk dancing presentations will be present to entertain the festgoers.
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