Among the many ethnic festivals that run all summer long in Milwaukee in its beautiful 75-acre festival park along Lake Michigan is the German Fest, this year from Thursday July 26 to Sunday July 29.
It joins Irish Fest, Polish Fest and Festa Italiana as the largest festivals of their kind in the country.
German Fest holds particular interest in Milwaukee however, as the city has such a rich German heritage. Held annually since 1981 at the Henry Maier Festival Park on Lake Michigan, it is the largest German celebration in North America. Traditional music, culture and cuisine are presented by numerous local German-American heritage organizations, businesses and the local German immersion school.
Bands and entertainers are brought over from Germany each year and an extensive retail element features German crafts and products.
German Fest is fun for kids of all ages. Children’s activities begin Thursday in Pretzel Park and will continue throughout the festival weekend.
Always a crowd favorite, the Glockenspiel performance takes place every day.
Tastebuds will be thrilled with favorite German foods like spanferkel, schnitzel, potato pancakes, and of course tortes, bienenstich and strudel. For 32 years there’s been a huge selection of beverages to complement the delicious and authentic German food, and in 2012 there will be even more.
Be sure to stick around for the Fireworks that will brilliantly light up the sky on Friday and Saturday night at 10:30pm.
Other attractions reflecting Milwaukee’s German history are the Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion, the shops and restaurants along Old World Third Street, exhibits at the Milwaukee Public Museum, a large number of German artworks in the Milwaukee Art Museum and the very unique Grohmann Museum.
Visit German Fest Information for a detailed guide to activities, events, admission and Fest hours.
For more information about top events in Wisconsin take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Wisconsin