Many people think that the German Fest events, like the one in Milwaukee, are all about “Bavarian” attire. I’m happy to report that not only are other regions of Germany represented in food and culture, the Tracht from other parts of Germany are seen around the grounds…. and on Saturday, there is a special Traditional German Tracht Show to highlight…
Author: karenanne
Max and Moritz- Behind Wilhelm Busch’s Bad Boy Stories
At the end of the book, the Miller grinds up the two boys in the giant flour mill, and ducks eat them. It sounds like the latest horror film to come out of Hollywood, doesn’t it? But this is the ending of Wilhelm Busch’s “Max und Moritz: Eine Bubgeschichte in sieben Streichen” (“Max and Moritz : A Boyish Story of…
Sounds of the Alpenhorn- The Alpine Echos play Traditional Music
A massive crowd gathered near the Welcome Gates of German Fest in Milwaukee to see The Alpine Echoes perform. It’s not every day you see a half dozen Alpenhorn players playing real music! I’m sure it was the first time many people even heard the Alp Horn outside of a Ricola Ad! (You can hear it in your mind now,…
German Language Schools in America For Kids and Teens
When I was a child, I went to German School every Saturday for 3 hours here in the US. While it was sometimes torture (who wants to go to school on Saturday!?!), in the end, it was well worth the effort, and I appreciate the extra miles my mother put on the car to get me there. This is…
What is Spanferkel? A Roasted Pig, Perfect for German Festivals!
At big German Festivals and gatherings, you will often find Spanferkel on the menu. What is Spanferkel? A “Ferkel” is a little pig (it’s also what my mom would call me when I came home particularly muddy), and “Span” is wood chips. Pig in Wood Chips? That can’t be right. It was time to learn more. My introduction to Spanferkel…
German Fest Milwaukee 2018! Thank You & PHOTOS!
UPDATE- Thursday before German Fest weekend is always a fun “gathering” day. 2 Years ago I was there with my family… this year, Covid-19 cancelled the event. Still… there’s always next year! Loving these KIDS!!! Isn’t it funny how time spent having fun just FLIES by? Seems like only yesterday I was packing my bags to go to German Fest…
Where to Buy Great Looking, High Quality German Sandals for Women
While I was growing up, my mother and my Oma always stressed the importance of having “good shoes”. You need a foot bed that gives you support! Then summer comes rolling around, and you want to wear sandals or slides, but how to keep giving your feet the support and comfort they need? Where can you find quality German Sandals…
What is a Charivari? Learn more about these Lederhosen Chains
When you are at a German Festival, and see people in Bavarian Tracht, you may notice that some men wear what looks like a chain of charms on their Lederhosen. What is that Lederhosen chain called? And what does it symbolize? As I’m curious by nature, I did some digging. The chain of trinkets or charms is called a Charivari…
German Idioms List- A Fun Way to learn to Speak Like a German
Have you ever heard an someone say something in German, and you understand the vocabulary, but you really have no idea what the heck they are saying? Most likely, they are using an Idiom. An idiom is defined as “a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words” …. in…