Page 1 - GC-Sept-Oct-23

A NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GERMAN-AMERICANS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK
AUSTRIA • GERMANY • LIECHTENSTEIN • SWITZERLAND
Vol. 11 No. 5 September-October 2023 Issue

46th Annual Waldfest

draws big crowds and

enthusiastic revelers

by Steve Dlugosz Table reservations were made as
uilding on long-standing far back as six months to a year ago
momentum and coordinat- by various organizations and indi-
Bing "generational" entertain- viduals, a large number of which
ment for the many in attendance at actually come to WNY from out of
Waldfest, the Spring Garden Asso- state and are described as "genera-
ciation in large part organized quite tional" tables that are passed down
the celebration, again, for the 46th through the years.
Annual Waldfest celebration, also According to Keith Krug of the
known as "Festival in the Woods" Spring Garden Association, tables
on July 16, 2023. quickly sold out and attendance at
Waldfest, which is stated as be- this year's Waldfest was among the
ing the largest German-American highest it's ever been. Extensive
festival in Western New York, at- planning for the event was coordi- THE POLISH GERMAN
tracted a great crowd for the annual nated by the Spring Garden Associ- CELEBRATION of SGTV
event held in Spring Garden Park in ation's Waldfest Committee. Edelweiss Buffalo (SGTV =
Marilla. The SGTV Edelweiss Many reserving entities come to
Schuhplattlers also assisted in coor- WNY for up to a week as part of Schuplattler Gebirgstrachten
dinating the day's events. their participation in the event. Verein) at Spring Garden on
Jon Snyder of South Buffalo "We're pretty happy with the Aug. 5, 2023 attracted
donned traditional Bavarian attire turnout and the overall enjoyment of Western New Yorkers looking
(Lederhosen) and enjoyed several the day for all those who attended,"
for ethnic music and dancing.
refillable stein-fulls of the Sankey said Krug, whose own family (his
beer tap, which was tapped along grandparents) participated in and Photos courtesy
with traditional German kegs. He attended Waldfest dating back to the of Martin Ederer
and his wife, Korinne, joined many early days of the festival, with a
friends and family at the event and "Krug's Sausages" table being pres-
enjoyed the sun-filled day. ent as part of the event for three
"It's always a terrific time to en- generations.
joy the day in the Festival of the He added, "There are a lot of
Woods," said Snyder, who has ex- other festivals in Western New
tensive German roots in his family York, but none that have the kind of
tree. "It really is a day to look for- generational aspect that (Waldfest)
ward to, and to enjoy with a group has."
of friends." Krug estimates that between 80
Snyder and his family enjoyed and 90 percent of businesses and
tasty sausages and German potato individuals who attend Waldfest are
salad among the traditional fare. repeat customers. Literally hundreds
Pretzels with mustard were another of emails related to tables and ticket-
popular item among customers. ing are sent to the Waldfest Com-
Musical bands performing in- mittee, he said.
cluded traditional favorites The Tony Kronbeck of Cheektowaga
Auslanders in the "Fest" hall and the has attended Waldfest on many oc-
German-American Musicians casions and enjoys the revelry of the
(GAM) in the "Grove" (play field) day.
area. Warsteiner was the primary "You get to see a bunch of
beer served at the event, along with friends, hear some good music, and
several other favorites. enjoy some great brews and food,"
said Kronbeck. "It's definitely a fun
time."

Steuben Society

service project

by Daniel Schwarz
An interesting Civil War Medal of
Honor recipient, and GAR (Grand Ar-
my of the Republic) member John H.
McHugh’s grave was recently given a
face lift at the historic Concordia Cem-
etery in Buffalo. The members of the
Samuel Helm Unit 144, the Buffalo
chapter of the Steuben Society of
America performed this work as a pa-
triotic service project. The members at
left are: Erich Reidell, Dan Schwarz,
and Paul F. Jones.