At the bi-monthly general membership meeting of the Syracuse Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, GermanFest Committee Chair Nikki Wenzel provided an overview of GermanFest events and put out a call for volunteers and sponsorships.

The success of the event is in part due to financial support from many businesses and individuals and volunteers who give of their time.

GermanFest starts on Friday evening, Oct. 18 with a sand volleyball tournament at the Syracuse Complex, continues with a full day of activities on Saturday, October 19th and ends with the Burgermeister Open Golf Tournament, Car Show and Pickleball Tournament all on Sunday, October 20th.

With the exception of a few offsite events, GermanFest will be held on 5th Street from Plum to Mohawk with some side streets utilized for parking and other events. No admission will be charged.

New to this year’s event will be a cornhole tourney, (apple) pie judging contest and pickleball tournament.

Traditional German events that remain in the lineup are the Lil’ Miss and Lil’ Meister pageant and the announcement of GermanFest royalty, a kinder and grande parade (down 5th Street), Viener Dog Races, tapping of the fest keg, Hammerschlagen, and Masskrugstemmen (steinholding competition).

An Olympic theme will be used throughout the event.

The Syracuse High School marching band will participate in this year’s parade and the day’s activities will conclude with entertainment from Angie Kriz & the Polka Toons.

The Stein will have a beer garden on the west end of 5th Street. The Rib Smokers Competition will again take place. Craft and food vendors will be along 5th Street and some businesses may be open and have specials.

Ways you can help. If you are going out of town, even if it’s just a short distance away, put the GermanFest magnets on your car to help advertise the event and take some flyers or cards to drop off at a local business. Magnets may be obtained from Wenzel. Sign up to volunteer. A few events still need chairs and assistance is needed with set up and throughout the day.

A sign-up sheet, flyers for each of the events and sponsorship forms will be posted online at www.germanfestne.com. Event flyers may also be picked up at the Syracuse Library.

Sponsorship forms will be emailed to all Chamber members. Wenzel may be contacted at 402.429.9842 or nwenzelgf24@yahoo.com.