Fort Wayne German Fest

Germanfest has continued to grow, and has now become a highlight of the summer festivals in Fort Wayne. Most people have been to Germanfest and sampled the "Essen, Trinken und Gemütlichkeit" (Eating, Drinking, and a warm, wonderful time). The Germanfest Committee of Fort Wayne is formed from the four German organizations that exist in Fort Wayne; the Fort Wayne Turners, the Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor, the Fort Wayne Sport Club, and the German Heritage Society. Each of these organizations has a rich tradition in Fort Wayne.

Festival Duration: June 1 - 8, 2008

Festival Schedule:

Sunday, June 1

11:00 AM - Gottesdienst (German Mass)

St. Peter’s Catholic Church 518 East Dewald Street
Father Chuck Herman will conduct a German language church service with special musical accompaniment by Greg Vey. And the Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor directed by Jeff Manns. Immediately following the service gather for a reception of brats and German style refreshments at the church Pavilion.

4:30 p.m. - Männerchor/Damenchor Konzert

(Admission Free)
Park Edelweiss, 3355 Elmhurst Drive
Doors open at 3:00 pm) Fort Wayne’s second oldest German organization, the Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor will be your hosts for the official opening ceremony of Germanfest, led by their director Jeff Manns. You will be entertained with authentic German folk music. Following the event, stay and enjoy Heimatabend!

5:00 p.m. - Eleganza Baroque Ensemble

Trinity Episcopal Church, 611 West Berry Street
Sample fine German music from the 17th and 18th centuries played by early music specialists on period instruments.

5:30 p.m. - Heimatabend (German Night)

(Free Admission)
Park Edelweiss, 3355 Elmhurst Dr. (747-2592) The Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor are your hosts for an evening of great food: Roast Pork, Hot Vegetable, Bratkartoffeln, Salat and homemade desserts, German style beverages, entertainment and gemutlichkeit! Dinner will be served from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm Dinner tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.00. Mr. George Berger will provide the music for your listening and singing pleasure.


Monday, June 2

12:15 pm -12:45 pm - Organ Concert

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1126 South Barr Street
Kevin Hildebrand (Associate Kantor of the Concordia Theological Seminary) will be performing various musical selections from famous German composers for your listening pleasure.

7:00 pm - Piano And Organ Recital

(Admission Free)
First Wayne Street United Methodist Church 300 East Wayne Street
Listen to the children, youth and adults sing and tickle the ivories at the annual Northeast Indiana Music Teachers Association sponsored concert. Participants will be performing a variety of German compositions for your listening pleasure.

7:00 pm - Kostritzer Night

(Admission Free)


Tuesday, June 3

11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Brown Bag Lunch

(Admission Free)
Barr Street Marketplace, located behind the Ft. Wayne History Center 302 East Berry Street
Join the Fort Wayne History Center for a kick off to Germanfest. Bring your own brown bag lunch. Listen to the music provided by Eli Arnold and the Auburn Dixielanders. Relax on the Marketplace and enjoy the outdoors!

12:15 pm - 12:45 pm - Organ Concert

St. Peters Catholic Church, 518 E. DeWald
Organist Greg Vey – Director of music for St. Peters Catholic Church – will perform several rarely heard works for organ and orchestra in this special concert that will include many of Ft Wayne's top high school symphonic musicians. This delightful program will include organ concertos composed by German masters G. F. Handel and W. A. Mozart.

2:00 pm - Children’s Story Time/Chicken Dance

900 Library Plaza
Grades K – 5th.
(Admission Free)
Come and explore the new Allen County Library! Allen County Library Children’s Special services program would like to invite children ages K-5th Grade for a fun-filled celebration of Germanfest. Plan on an afternoon of story time and crafts. Don’t forget about the famous chicken dance lessons. For more information contact Mary Voors at (260) 421-1220.

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm - “Recollections Of A Hamburger”

Art Link, 437 East Berry Street

“Recollections of a Hamburger”: Growing up in Germany after WWII. German-born author, Christel Behnke Gehlert will read selections from her recently published book and share insightful details of her experiences of growing up in war-ravaged Hamburg , Germany . Light refreshments will be available. Admission Free.

7:00 pm - German Lecture And Slide Presentation
(Admission Free)

Ft. Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center 233 West Main Street (Parking off Berry and Maiden Lane)
Mr. Kris Kallmeyer, German teacher at Northrop High School, two time Fulbright exchange teacher to Germany, NEH and Lilly Fellow, will present an hour-long lecture with slides about: Berlin, Capitol of a Unified Germany. There will be a question and answer session immediately following. Refreshments will be served.

7:00 pm - Bitburger Night

Fort Wayne Sport Club, 3102 Ardmore Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Join the Fort Wayne Sport Club in a new Germanfest tradition: Bitburger Night.
Enjoy Bitburger beer from Germany as well as live musical entertainment.


Wednesday, June 4

10:30 am - Midnight - Germanfest Festival Tent Open

Headwaters Park
Festival Plaza

10:30 am - Children’s Story Time/Chicken Dance

900 Library Plaza
Ages 3 – 5 Years
(Admission Free)
Come and explore the new Allen County Library! Allen County Library Children’s Special services program would like to invite children ages 3-5 years for a fun-filled celebration of Germanfest. Songs, story time crafts and the famous chicken dance lessons. For more information contact Mary Voors at (260) 421-1220.

11:00 am - Official Festival Tent Opening

Festival Plaza, Headwaters Park
It’s Wunderbar! Germanfest invites all local and visiting dignitaries, sponsors, and the public to participate in this traditional opening. Attend the ceremonies, enjoy the music, and dine on the fine German food (the traditional brats hot off the grill, homemade sauerkraut, German potato salad, kuchen for dessert).

11:00 am – 8:00 pm - Play Take It Or Leave It

Festival Tent – Main Stage
Anyone 21 or older is eligible to participate in this exciting new Germanfest game. Receive your free ticket to play at the entrance gate. Enter your ticket into the drawing, if you ticket is chosen you get to play for the great prizes!
Drawings occur at 1pm, 5pm and 9pm.
Sponsored by 1250 The River

11:30 am - City-Wide "Chicken Dance"

Wherever you are...
101.7 WLDE kicks off Germanfest with a city-wide “chicken dance”! Wherever you are at 11:30AM Wednesday, June 4th, be sure your radio is set to 101.7 WLDE so you, your co-workers, students, family and friends can all do a simultaneous chicken dance. 101.7 WLDE will be broadcasting live from the Germanfest tent at Headwaters Park. Then, we’ll follow with what might be the world’s largest chicken dance, led by the Money Monkey. Listen to 101.7 WLDE for all of the fun!

12:00 - 8:00 pm - Kiddie Rides

Lower level, Headwaters Park
Fun festival rides for small children.

12:00pm - 8:30 pm - Paint It German!

Artist Trixie White with Adorable Face Painting will be on hand with her artistic talents to create some very different and unusual body art!

12:15 pm - 12:45 pm - Organ Concert

First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne St.
Brent Neuenthwander (Organ major at Indiana University in Bloomington) and Dale Tucker, director of music and organist for First Wayne St. United Methodist Church will perform selections of well-known German composers. The church organ, a Beckerath was built in Hamburg Germany especially for their sanctuary. Embrace the sounds of Germany. Immediately following, lunch will be served at a minimal cost. Limited seating.

1:00 pm - Take It Or Leave It

Festival Tent – Main Stage

5:00 pm Take It Or Leave It

Festival Tent – Main Stage

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Balloon Sculpting

Festival Plaza, Headwaters Park (Family Area)
Local artist, Kevin Harris will entertain young and old with his unusual and unique balloon sculpting.

6:00 pm - 9:00pm - Caricature Drawings

Festival Plaza
Randy Martin
Spend a few minutes with Randy Martin, a very personable and talented local artist. Have him create a caricature of yourself or a loved one. Sure to bring lasting memories of Germanfest 2008.

9:00 pm Take It Or Leave It

Festival Tent – Main Stage


Thursday, June 5

11:00 am - Midnight - Germanfest Festival Tent Open

Headwaters Park
Festival Plaza

12:15 PM - 12:45 PM - Organ Concert

Trinity English Lutheran Church, 405 West Wayne Street
Brad Hall - New Associate Organist at Trinity English in his first Ft. Wayne Germanfest appearance - relax as you listen to works by some of Germany's most famous composers.

12:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Kiddie Rides

Lower level, Headwaters Park
Fun festival rides for small children.

12:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Paint It German!

Festival Plaza, Headwaters Park
Artist Trixie White with Adorable Face Painting will be on hand with her artistic talents to create some very different and unusual body art!

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Balloon Sculpting

Main Tent Family Area
Local artist, Kevin Harris will entertain young and old with his unusual and unique balloon sculpting.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm - “Recollections Of A Hamburger”

Germanfest Festival Plaza Culture Tent
“Recollections of a Hamburger”: Meet author Christel Behnke Gehlert. Stop by the Culture Tent and purchase a signed copy of her recently published book.

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm - Caricature Drawings

Festival Plaza Headwaters Park
Randy Martin, Spend a few minutes with Randy Martin, a very personable and talented local artist. Have him create a caricature of yourself or a loved one. Sure to bring lasting memories of Germanfest 2008.

7:30 pm - Show Us Your Legs ‘N Lederhosen Contest!

Festival Plaza Main Stage
Got Lederhosen? Wear ’em! If not, create your own! MC for the evening: Tina Harris from Majic 95.1 FM. Our judges for the evening will be the Ft. Wayne Mad Ants Cheerleaders. Contestants are pre-selected. Entry forms this flyer. Win prizes and take home your trophy! Open to men and women. Rules on entry form. Enter early, limited to 25 contestants.


Friday, June 6

11:00 am -1 am - Germanfest Festival Tent Open

Headwaters Park
Festival Plaza

12:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Kiddie Rides

Lower level, Headwaters Park
Fun festival rides for small children.

12:00 pm - 8:30pm - Paint It German!

Festival Plaza
Artist Trixie White with Adorable Face Painting will be on hand with her artistic talents to create some very different and unusual body art!

12: 15 pm - 12:45 pm - Organ Concert

First Presbyterian
Richard Resch - organist and Director of Music - will perform selections from various German composers for your listening pleasure

4:00 pm - Balloon Stomp

Festival Plaza /Dance Floor
“It takes 2.” Contestants (all ages) will be chosen from the audience to show off their coordination and agility. Win prizes! Grab your partner and Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Balloon Sculpting

Festival Plaza Headwaters Park Family Area
Local artist, Kevin Harris will entertain young and old with his unusual and unique balloon sculpting.

6:00 pm — 9:00 pm - Caricature Drawings

Festival Plaza Headwaters Park
Spend a few minutes with Randy Martin, a very personable and talented local artist. Have him create a caricature of yourself or a loved one. Sure to bring lasting memories of Germanfest 2008.

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm - "Recollections Of A Hamburger"

Barnes & Noble
Glenbrook Mall, 4201 Coldwater Road
Browse Fort Wayne ’s newest Barnes & Noble bookstore at Glenbrook Mall and meet local German-born author Christel Behnke Gehlert to preview her recently published book chronicling the challenges of growing up in war-ravaged Hamburg , Germany (1941-1962). Signed copies of her book “Recollections of a Hamburger” will be available for purchase.

8:30 pm - Polka Like A Star

Festival Plaza / Stage Area
Learn to polka like the pros! Instructor Patric Didier from American Styles Ballroom dance studio will be teaching the audience how to polka. Participants will be given a short lesson and an opportunity to win a spot in dance off on Saturday night June 7th at 7:30 pm. It’s polka! polka! Polka! for fun & prizes! Top three couples advance to the Saturday night event!


Saturday, June 7

11:00 am – 1 am - Germanfest Tent Open

Headwaters Park
Festival Plaza

8:00 am - 11:00 am - Volksmarch (10K WALK)

Festival Plaza Headwaters Park
Start between 8:00 am and 11:00 am and finish by 2:00 pm. Traverse a well-marked route through the downtown area, River greenway, and neighborhoods of Ft. Wayne. The walk begins and ends at the Festival Tent. Sponsored by the Three Rivers Strollers Walking Club and the American Volksport Association. The Volksmarch is for families, youth groups, singles, couples, old and young. Stamp books and medals will be available upon completion of the walk. For more information contact Ed Masloob at (260) 432-9370.

9:00 am - Visionwalk

Headwaters Park
The Foundation Fighting Blindness will hold a 5K Visionwalk with registration beginning at 9 am and the walk beginning at 10am. Join Olympian Lloy Ball, emcee Ryan Elijah and Dr. Kathleen McCabe from the Cataract & Laser Institute as we help raise critical research dollars. Admission to the Germanfest is FREE to all VISIONWALK participants on the day of the event. Complete information is available by visiting www.visionwalk.org and clicking on the Fort Wayne link or by contacting Jim Platzer at (260) 450-3692.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm - The Suzuki Strings

Festival Plaza Headwaters Park
The Suzuki Strings students ages 5 to 14, will be performing folk songs and classical pieces by German composers on violins, violas and cellos. You will be amazed by quality performance of these youngsters!

11:30 – 11:45 - Magician Jim Barron

Main Stage, Festival Plaza, Headwaters Park
The Tri-State’s funniest magical entertainer….Jim Barron: There are magicians who amaze and comedians who make you laugh, but few combine the two art forms. Fun for the entire family.

11:45 – Noon - Fort Wayne Juggling Club

Main Stage, Festival Plaza, Headwaters Park
Members of the Fort Wayne Juggling Club will demonstrate their amazing abilities of concentration and agility. Follow them down to Familienfest for some free lessons!!!!

12:00 am - 8:00 pm - Kiddie Rides

Lower level, Headwaters Park
Fun festival rides for small children.

11:00 am - 2:00 pm - Familienfest (Family Fest)

Experience a fun filled day at Germanfest 2008. Sentimental Journey will provide free horse drawn wagon rides for the entire family. Face Painting, and Soccer Run, Fencing demonstration, St. Joe Fire Department, State Police, Balloon Sculpting, and much more. New this year will be Kinder Korner, children will learn to speak a little German as well as German songs!

11:30 am - 2:30 pm - 7th Annual Germanfest Bake Off

Festival Plaza / Culture Tent Area
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Drop-off time at the culture tent
12:30 pm Judging
2:30 Awards
Bring your best authentic German dessert along with the recipe to the Culture tent at Festival Plaza, Headwaters Park. The 3 best entries will receive prizes, not to mention glory and fame from those who taste the offerings. Please bring your entries in disposable containers, should you need help finding a recipe, contact Sharon Smith
at (260) 493-2439

Noon - 8 pm - Caricature Drawings

Familienfest Noon – 3 pm
Festival Plaza Headwaters Park 4 pm – 8pm
Caricature drawings by Lee Sauer.

12:00 pm - 3:00pm - It’s Alive! The Science of Yeast

Science Central, 1950 North Clinton
Come find out how this microscopic, single-celled organism can help us in so many ways. We’re even making secret formula “beer” – Rootbeer that is. Bring your own cup or use one of ours!

1:00 pm - The Turner Tumblers

Festival Plaza, Main Stage Area
The Fort Wayne Turners are proud to present what will be an energetic and entertaining program for both young and old.

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - National Wiener Dog Finals

Headwaters Park, Lower Level
Join Germanfest and 92.3 The Fort for the 2008 National Wiener Dog Finals!
As these “hot dogs” battle it out for bragging rights as the fastest weiner dog. Listen to radio station 92.3 The Fort for details. Sponsored by Miller brewing.

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm - “Recollections Of A Hamburger”

Germanfest Festival Plaza Culture Tent
“Recollections of a Hamburger”: Meet author Christel Behnke Gehlert. Stop by the Culture Tent and purchase a signed copy of her recently published book.

5:00 pm - Hot Air Ballon Launch

Hot Air Larry will launch from the lower level of Headwaters Park. Weather permitting.

4:00 pm - 8:30pm - Paint It German

Artist Trixie White with Adorable Face Painting will be on hand with her artistic talents to create some very different and unusual body art!

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Balloon Sculpting

Festival Plaza / Family Area
Local artist, Kevin Harris will entertain young and old with his unusual and unique balloon sculpting.

6:00 pm - Grapes Of Wrath

Grassy Area Near the Culture Tent
Festival Plaza
All you need are 3 crazy friends and a lot of will power. Teams will consist of 3 individuals who will be competing against the clock to see who really has the stamina to produce the most juice. Don’t worry it’s not like we’re going to make you drink it. Win prizes/team trophies/purple hands and feet. Sign up will be at the Culture Tent from 11am – 5pm. Only 9 teams will be allowed to compete so make sure to get signed up early.

7:30 pm - Polka Like A Star

Festival Plaza / Stage Area
Patric Didier from American Styles Ballroom dance studio will be teaching one more lesson and choosing three more couples to compete against the winning couples from Friday nights contest. These six couples will dance off for prizes and trophies!

All Day - Muster On The Saint Mary’s

Re-enactors from Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana will come to the Fort to camp out for the weekend. They will be demonstrating military life during these eras and periodic firing of the cannon!


Sunday, June 8

12:45 PM - Gottesdienst (German Church Service)

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 700 West Jefferson Boulevard

Experience a traditional German - language service led by Pastor Detlev Shultz
With a musical performance by the Suzuki Children.

All day - The Muster On The St. Mary’s

Re-enactors from Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin Illinois, and Indiana will come to the Fort to camp out for the weekend. They will be demonstrating military life during these eras and periodic firing of the cannon!


Germanfest Band Schedule

Main Festival Tent

Wednesday & Thursday 11 a.m. to Midnight
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Admission: 2:00 p.m. to 5: p.m. ~ $2.00 After 5: p.m. ~ $5.00
No one under 21 permitted after 9:00 p.m.


Wednesday June 4

11 am - 3:30 pm - The Jay Fox Band - Ft. Wayne, IN
3:45 pm - 7:45 pm - Hank Haller Ensemble - Cleveland, OH
8 pm - Midnight - Die Freudemacher - Ft. Wayne, IN

Thursday June 5

11:30 am - 3:30 pm - Die Freudemacher - Ft. Wayne, IN
3:45 pm - 7:45 pm - Hank Haller Ensemble - Cleveland, OH
8 pm - Midnight - Al Novak Edelweiss Orchestra - Cleveland, OH

Friday June 6

11:30 am - 3:30 pm - Al Novak Edelweiss Orchestra - Cleveland, OH
4:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Paloma - Chicago, IL
9 pm - 1 am - Austrian Express - Milwaukee, WI

Saturday June 7

11:45 - 4 pm - Die Freudemacher - Ft. Wayne, IN
4:30 - 8:30 pm - Austrian Express - Milwaukee, WI
9 pm - 1 am - Paloma - Chicago, IL

Germanfest Dance Schedule

D'Oberlandler Bavarian Dancers
Saturday June 9: 2, 4, 6, and 8:30 pm

Pommersche Tanzdeel Freistadt
Saturday June 9: 3, 5, 7, and 8:45 pm


Main Festival Tent:
Fort Wayne German Fest, 1599 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Headwaters Park, 110 West Berry Street # 1006, Fort Wayne, IN 46802