(WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com) — Bratwurst. Strudel. Beer. Typically, even a number of key phrases are sufficient to get a fella excited. Listed here are a number of extra key phrases: Lederhosen; dancing; music (“Valeri, Valera” anyone?).
German Heritage Fest begins in Erie on Saturday, Sept. 3. Swaying steins, spinning dirndls, and bellowing voices will fill the grounds of St. Nick’s Grove at 5131 Outdated French Highway. All of it kicks off with a parade of flags at midday on Saturday, Sept. 3.
Melissa Lesniewski is the pageant co-chair with Ray Luniewski. She’s been on the helm of the pageant for about 5 years. She took over for her mom, Beverly Pochatko, who had based the pageant almost three many years in the past.
“She needed individuals to know that Germans have enjoyable,” Lesniewski mentioned. “And she or he needed to share the heritage. We lose that because the older era passes on — all of these issues don’t get handed down.”
Pochatko continues to be energetic within the pageant, however a lot of the administrative duties have now been shifted to Lesniewski and Luniewski.
Following the parade of flags, the pageant will instantly proceed into dancing and music. The tapping of the official keg will likely be adopted by the primary official toast.
“We get those who come to the pageant yearly. They arrive from Pittsburgh, they arrive from Erie,” Lesniewski mentioned. “There’s a selected group that is available in yearly, the arrange within the nook of the tent early within the morning they usually keep the entire day.”
Meals contains bratwurst, braunschweiger, limburger cheese and ham and cheese sandwiches, German potato salad, German dinners, strudel, German cake, and different typical meals one would possibly count on at any pageant, like ice cream, kettle corn, funnel truffles and cheese cake.
Leisure contains Pittsburgh band Mädel Jäger, The Mad Bavarian, Alpen Schuhplattler Dancers, and Youngstown Saxon Brass Band.
The Pageant closes for the day at 8 p.m. on Saturday, however at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4, the German enjoyable begins once more. Admission is $5 per individual per day, or $8 for a two-day move.
“All the cash that is available in from the gates pays for the grounds, the leisure, the chairs and the tents. That’s what retains us going,” Lesniewski mentioned.
For information delivered proper to you, subscribe to JET 24/FOX 66/YourErie.com’s breaking, daily news & severe weather email lists
“It’s about getting collectively and with the ability to share music and dance and foods and drinks,” Lesniewski mentioned. “I’m trying ahead to it. It appears to be like just like the climate goes to be nice.”
