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The German Citizen
The German Citizen

A NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GERMAN-AMERICANS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK
AUSTRIA • GERMANY • LIECHTENSTEIN • SWITZERLAND

Vol. 12 No. 4 July-August 2024 Issue

th
A new connection to ancestral 40 Anniversary of the Buffalo German Fest coming
villages in Uckermark area to Cheektowaga Town Park Labor Day weekend

Annual German Fest
celebration kicks off
the start of
Oktoberfest season!
he German-American Musi‐
cians – Buffalo’s BIG Ger‐
Tman Band, bring their high
energy and authentic German
Blaskapelle to Cheektowaga Town
Park the Friday of Labor Day week‐
end to start the festivities. Gates
open at 5:30 p.m., with music from
6 to 10 p.m. that evening.
“This year’s Buffalo German
Fest is a significant one for us since
th
we are celebrating our 40 anniver‐
sary,” said Melanie Knowles,
spokeswoman for the Buffalo Ger‐
man Fest. “We pride ourselves in
offering an authentic biergarten fes‐
A church in Bergholz Uckermark. tival, which is family friendly and
educational. It’s important to keep
By Elaine Timm years, and now wants to do a new the culture and ‘gemütlichkeit’
he Uckermark area of Ger‐ display. She is asking for photos of alive!”
many is northeast of Berlin, the emigrants who left there in Gemütlichkeit is a term that the
Tstraddling the states of Meck‐ 1843. Germans use to simply mean being
lenburg - Vorpommern and Bran‐ They are going to be tough to in the right place, at the right time,
denburg. Immigrants to the Town of find, as photography was not com‐ doing the right things, with the right
Wheatfield in Niagara County, mon in the rural areas, and expen‐ people. That perfectly describes the
came from the villages in the Uck‐ sive. But, we have found a few of goal of The Federation of German-
ermark, starting in 1843. A friend elderly people in some photos. Un‐ American Societies of Buffalo & the beer tent to quench your thirst, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers
and I visited the Uckermark this fortunately, the photos are usually Vicinity says Knowles. peruse the vendors in the Market‐ to make this year’s Buffalo German
past May, and also Hamburg and not labeled, so we have to do a little “This event originated in plazt area specializing in German Fest the most memorable yet.
Lübeck. An exhausting but wonder‐ investigating. The type of photo Schiller Park back in 1982, and steins, merchandise, and other de‐ “I encourage anyone who is in‐
ful trip! (tintype, card de viste, etc.) can give moved to Cheektowaga Town Park lectable treats. terested in having a good time and
In Bergholz, Meck-Pomm we a clue, as can the style of clothes in 1994, where it has been held ever Attendees can also participate in learn about German culture to at‐
visted the museum and saw many they are wearing, and their esti‐ since” Melanie stated. “Back then, the free keg tapping ceremony or tend,” said Melanie. “It’s always
artifacts that are similar to the ones mated age. the German cultural organizations one of the many contests planned fun to see some of the festival atten‐
we have at Das Haus, here in If anyone has a photo of likely were flourishing. Unfortunately, throughout the weekend, such as the dees dressed in their proper dirndls
Bergholz in Wheatfield. There were early settlers of Wheatfield, please over the years, many of the German ever-popular stein hoist competi‐ or bundhosen, enjoying the festival
also pictures on their wall of people contact me directly at etimm01 clubs in the area have folded. Be‐ tion, the adorable Hummel look- and singing ‘ein prosit der
with the same family names that @aol.com. sides the festival being the Federa‐ alike contest, or stomach-challeng‐ gemütlichkeits’ at the top of their
still exist in Niagara County. tion’s biggest fundraiser of the year ing sauerkraut eating contest. lungs! Even the youngest members
Frau Kerstin Werth has been for these member organizations, it Knowles says to bring the kids too, of the audience get into it, and it’s
taking care of the museum for many
is also a recruitment tool.” as there will be a kinder area. quite an adorable sight!”
The festivities continue Satur‐ Are you a car or motorcycle en‐ For more information visit the
An unidentified day, Aug. 31 from noon to 9 p.m. thusiast? The Buffalo German Fest website at www.BuffaloGerman.
'four generations' with music provided by The Polka is partnering with the BMW Car com, or the Facebook page www
Boyz from 1 to 4 p.m. and The Club to bring a European car and .facebook.com/BuffaloGermanFest,
photo.
Bergholz German Band from 5 to 9 motorcycle show from noon until 4 or e-mail BuffaloGermanFest‐
p.m. There will also be Bavarian p.m. on Saturday. @gmail.com.
dance performances provided by Admission tickets can be pur‐ The Federation of German-
the SGTV Edelweiss Schuhplattler chased at the door for $5, with chil‐ American Societies of Buffalo &
Dancers throughout the day. dren 12 and under free. Presale tick‐ Vicinity, Inc. is a not-for-profit cul‐
Festival-goers will be able to try ets will be available online soon, tural organization whose purpose is
a variety of German delicacies or where you can take advantage of to further the common goals and in‐
enjoy a fun twist on familiar dishes. their festival special. terests of its members in regard to
Patrons are reminded to bring their Anyone interested in placing an preservation and perpetuation of
steins so they can properly sample ad or patron in the special edition German customs, traditions, song,
and toast the refreshing German program book should contact sports, language and establish mu‐
beers being offered. Don’t have a BuffaloGermanFest@gmail.com. tual fellowship.
stein, not a problem. Before visiting Organizers are still looking for

Attica German Fest set for August 24

By Wendy Schreiner sure to to get toes tapping and hands hotdogs. There’s usually a 50/50
aybe you’re German and clapping. Maybe you’ll even hit the raffle to take a chance on!
you look forward to at‐ dance floor to a tune or two with For those with a sweet tooth,
Mtending the Attica Lion’s cool numbers like “Mack the the mouth-watering black forest
Club Annual German Festival every Knife” and “Pennsylvania Polka” cake or an apple dumpling come
year. Perhaps, you’ve never gone. that are sure to get you “In the highly recommended. Can’t decide,
Possibly you’ve never even heard Mood” as the band plays melodies why not try both? Other delicious
of it or known that the event ex‐ on the tuba, bass, trumpet, wood‐ desserts are also available for sale.
isted! winds, percussion and keyboard. The gates usually open at 3:30
Well, this summer the Lion’s The event provides fun for the p.m. with the event taking place
Club will be celebrating its 13th whole family with kid-friendly ac‐ from 4 - 9 p.m. You can check out
year of the “Wundervoll” fun festi‐ tivities and games. Previous events the Attica Lion’s Club Facebook
val Saturday, Aug. 24 where every‐ even had a bounce house for young page for more information.
one has a chance to be German for ones to expel their energy in. Adults I think that The Attica German
the day as they head on over to the can enjoy both German and domes‐ Festival is just “wunderbar.” Mark
Memorial Park on Exchange Street tic beer. Pop is also available. your calendars for August 24 and
in Attica, NY. German cuisine featuring brat- take part in the “German” festivities
At the festival, one will discover wurst, knockwurst, potato pancakes of the day that are “fantastisch” and
lively entertaining German music and sauerkraut is available for pur‐ enjoy foods that are “hervorra‐
Do you have a photo to fill the wall for the new display in Germany? by the Genesee Valley Band that’s chase as well as hamburgers and gend.”