The Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia is THE place to be for German-Americans who want to reminisce about their homeland or anyone who wants to experience a fun day or two full of history and the culture of Germany. Visit the museum grounds on Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2015 for traditional food, great music, dancing (can you polka?), good German ‘bier’ (of course!), and plenty of fun and games for kids of all ages.
The Frontier Culture Museum is a living history museum telling the story of immigrants that migrated to the Shenandoah Valley. The Germans were the largest non-English speaking group to travel to the American colonies. Most of the “Virginia Germans” came into the continent through Philadelphia but continued south, crossed the Potomac River, and finally settled in the Shenandoah Valley in the early 1700’s. They brought with them the culture from their homeland. At the museum, you can see a living-history area set-up like a typical German farm. Learn about the crops the Germans grew and the types of animals they kept.
The new German-Americans created wonderful pottery, painted furniture, and the “Kentucky” long rifle. You can see examples of early German technology, crafts, and husbandry on the site of the German farm. The German immigrants also began producing some of their traditional German ‘bier’ when they arrived here in the colonies. David G. Yuengling came from Wuerttemberg, Germany and established his brewing company in 1829 – America’s oldest brewery. Try some of this beer at the Oktoberfest!
The Hirschjager Bavarian Dancers, dressed in traditional garb, will put on German dance demonstrations at 1:00 pm and at 2:15 pm Saturday. “Oom-pa-pa” music will be provided by the Shippensburg Blaskapelle, Bill McElroy, the Elbe-Musikanten German Band, and the Sauerkraut Band over the two days of the event.
What Oktoberfest would be complete without some great Bratwurst? Look for Bratwurst, Weisswurst & Bauernwurst Sausages, potato pancakes, and even Bavarian Soft pretzels from the Bavarian Chef Caterers. Other food vendors include: Farm Fresh Fixin’s, Joe’s Sausages, Rick’s BBQ, Blue Ridge Pizza, Branch’s Soft-serve Ice Cream, and MJ’s Kickin Kettle Corn. So even if German food is not your favorite, you will find something to satisfy your appetite.
Oktoberfest runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm both days. Early-bird tickets are available online for $10 (adult) or $4.50 (children 6-12). You can also get tickets at the event for $15 (adult). Children under 6 are free.
Ich hoffe, Sie bald zu sehen!
