Festival Preview

The 45th annual German-American Festival begins tomorrow at 6 p.m. with a parade and opening ceremonies featuring fireworks. The festival runs through Sunday night at 11 p.m.

This year's festival features all things German, from children's activities and sporting events to live music, food, beverages and a German-language worship service on Sunday morning.

"It's not just a beer festival," said festival chairman Tim Pecsenye. "We offer things for people from children on up to people in their 80's. We do everything we can to make it a wonderful event for folks."

The live music is highlighted by local band Polka Floyd closing out the festival on Sunday.

"We added them last year," Pecsenye said. "It was a great night. We decided we wanted to do that again. It's not a pure ethnic band for us, but it's still in the genre."

Other acts featured include a Polish American Concert Band called Holzhacker Buam Schuhplattlergruppe, The Rhinelanders, and Jay Fox.

The traditional sports of soccer and gymnastics will be played along with the lesser known Steinstossen and Masskrugstemmen. Steinstossen is a stone throwing competition in which men throw a 138-pound rock and women throw a 75-pound stone. Masskrugstemmen is new to the festival this year. Contestants lift a 1-liter stein of beer straight out with their arm level to the ground for as long as they can.

Tickets are available for $6 in advance and $7 at the festival. Shuttle services are available from three separate locations, and there is a program in place to provide free soft drinks for designated drivers. The festival is located at 3624 Seaman Rd. in Oregon, Ohio.

Visit www.gafsociety.org or www.GermanAmericanFestival.net for more information.

"Be prepared to have a great time when you come out," Pecsenye said. "You'll see people you haven't seen in a while and meet new friends. You'll be in one of the greatest atmospheres in northwest Ohio."

Check out Monday's edition of the IC for a recap of the festival.