Get Your German on at the 16th Annual Biergarten Festival

June 30, 2012 - PRLog -- Denver, Colo.  – The Colorado Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) presents the 16th annual Biergarten Festival (http://www.BiergartenFest.com) on Friday and Saturday, July 13 & 14, 2012. “It is a great opportunity for Coloradoans to be a German for a day or two practicing their German language skills and enjoying a strong German atmosphere” according to Jesse Young, president of the GACC.

The Biergarten opens at 4 p.m. on Friday and at 11 a.m. on Saturday, closing at 10 p.m. each evening. Location is the TEV Edelweiss Pavilion, at 17832 Highway 8, Morrison. The Biergarten Festival is produced in the spirit of the traditional Biergartens found primarily in southern Germany since the 19th century and is a fundraiser for the GACC’s programs. Adult admission is $12 for a two-day pass, $5 for Friday and $10 for Saturday. Children under 12 years are free. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended and available for purchase at http://www.BiergartenFest.com.

Family oriented, the festival offers great authentic German food, a Biergarten, live music and dancing. Featured performers include three German style bands with traditional German music for “Kinder” of all ages, the award-winning TEV Edelweiss Schuhplattler dancers (traditional Bavarian dancers) and a children’s activities area featuring games designed especially for them.

“This is a great cultural event for kids and adults,” said Joshua Seeberg, manager of the event. “We have created an event that has something for everyone. According to the 2000 census, 22 percent of Coloradoans claimed German descent and we are pleased to provide them with a piece of their heritage.” According to Seeberg, last year’s event drew some 1,100 visitors. He advises those coming to the event to watch for the Bavarian blue and white checked banner on the east side of Highway 8 at the parking area.

Children attending the festival will enjoy the chance to try some German games such as Eierlaufen (egg races), Sacklaufen (sack race), Ringhuepfen (ring hopping race) and Torwandschiessen (kicking soccer balls through a hole in a wall). The Colorado Rapids street team along with their mascot will also appear for “Fussball” (soccer) fans.

The German food will be provided by the award winning Chef Neuhold and his crew from Fort Collins. Some 60,000 visitors to the 2011 Denver Christkindl Market (http://www.DenverChristKindlMarket.com) enjoyed his cuisine. The official beer at the festival will be three varieties of Paulaner from Munich, Germany.

The outstanding TEV Edelweiss Schuhplattler dancers consistently win national awards in dancing competition across the USA. Two of its members, Michael and Maria Rase, earned a gold medal in North America finals and competed in the Bayerischer-Loewe competition at Neufahrn, Germany in July 2010 where they placed in the top ten Einzelplatterlern finals.

Volunteers enter free, receive a free Tee-Shirt and food and drink. More info about the Biergarten Festioval is on the Web at www.BiergartenFest.com . Alternatively, call Joshua Seeberg at (720) 837-6905 for Biergartenfest info.

Sponsors of this cultural event are, Mercedes-Benz Club of America, the Edelweiss Restaurant of Colorado Springs, Audi Club’s Rocky Mountain Chapter and Continental Sausage Co. of Denver (www.continentalsausage.com).

About the GACC. The German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado Chapter is the initial contact for German companies considering business in the Rocky Mountain region and connects German decision-makers with their U.S. counterparts. Web: http://www.GACCCO.org

About the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. With its national headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., MBCA has more than 20,000 members across 85 local sections in North America. Regional and local section events include defensive driving schools, autocross and track competition, in addition to road rallies, car shows and a wide variety of social events. On the Web: www.mbca.org.

About the Edelweiss Restaurant. Located in Colorado Springs, the Edelweiss has served over a million happy diners in there with delicious and hearty German food during its 40 year history. On the Web: www.edelweissrest.com

About Audi Club RMC. Audi Club North America is the largest association of Audi owners in the world. Regional chapter activities include driving schools, rallies, picnics, time distance rallies, technical sessions, motorsports events, dinners and social activities.  The Rocky Mountain Chapter is on the Web: www.audiclubrmc.org

About TEV Edelweiss. Formed in 1958, TEV Edelweiss, located in Commerce City, is dedicated to the preservation of German customs and costumes. On the Web: www.TEVEdelweiss.org.