NEWINGTON — You don’t have to be German to enjoy wienerschnitzel and a glass of Holsten Pilsener.
The Hartford Sängerbund has put out the invitation to its Taste of Germany Festival this Saturday, and club members hope to exceed the 500 attendees who showed up two years ago — the last time the event was held.
It alternates years with their Biennial Bierfest, a popular German festival that draws upward of 1500 people.
“It was very successful the first time, so this time we’ve extended the hours and hopefully we’re going to increase our presence a little more,” said Amy Swank, the club’s first vice president, now retired and serving serves on the Board of Directors.
Members are also increasing the offering of German foods, which they serve indoors and outdoors and make completely from scratch. Everything from potato pancakes, to bratwurst, red cabbage, sauerkraut and German potato salad will be served. Homemade German cakes will also be for sale, along with German beers and other drinks.
“It’s a wonderful variety of homemade food you generally don’t find all in one place at a great price,” said Swank, who along with her husband, Phil, is originally from an area of Pennsylvania that saw a large German immigration two centuries ago.
“My mother’s family came from Germany before the American Revolution, and my father’s family came over in 1830,” she said.
Club members are of many different ethnicities, with the older folks more likely to be first-generation German-Americans. A clause in the club’s constitution requires only the president and vice president to be of German extraction.
Aside from tasting German food and drink, the day is also an opportunity to see live and authentic German entertainment, with dancing by the Schuplattler dancers and The Alpenland Tanzer, as well as and music by Scha-Musi.
Admission is free, but a $1 donation at the gate will be collected for The Newington Food Bank.
“That allows us to keep track of how many people come through the door, but also lets us help the community,” Swank said.
The Sängerbund was founded in Hartford in 1858 and moved to Newington in 1966. At the heart of its activities are the Men’s, Ladies’ and Mixed Choruses and a folkdance group, which have won competitions across New England and received wide acclaim.
The Taste of Germany will be held this Saturday, July 27 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hartford Sängerbund, 719 North Mountain Road, Newington. (860) 953-8967.
Erica Schmitt can be reached at (860) 225-4601, ext. 210, or eschmitt@newbritainherald.com.
Our valued readers,
As you see we’re now requiring anyone wishing to post a comment to register first. That registration includes first and last name, user name, and e-mail address. We will not send advertising or any other unsolicited material. We’re simply working to curtail the number of comments that a reasonable person would find offensive or objectionable, such as ones containing profanity or threatening language. Please use our forum as an opportunity for spirited debate – just be civil and observe the golden rule.
<![CDATA[
]]>