Allen County, Indiana Genealogy

Germanfest began in 1981 formed from the 4 local German organizations. Jim Sack started the festival as well as founding the German Heritage Society and the Gera-Fort Wayne Sister City program.

Get to know your GermanFest 2024 hosts! Volunteer members from the Fort Wayne Mannerchor/Damenchor, Fort Wayne Sport...

Posted by Germanfest on Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 post by the Germanfest on Facebook:

Get to know your GermanFest 2024 hosts! Volunteer members from the Fort Wayne Mannerchor/Damenchor, Fort Wayne Sport Club , Fort Wayne Turners and German Heritage Society are hard at work planning an unforgettable event.

 

They had slightly different host images April 28, 2023 on Facebook.

Essen, Trinken und Gemütlichkeit! Food, drink and coziness!

Fort Wayne Germanfest began in 1981 as a project to bring a German folk festival in early June in celebration of German heritage in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Since then, Germanfest has continued to grow, and has now become a highlight of the summer festivals in Fort Wayne. Germanfest is brought to you by the four local German Clubs; Fort Wayne Sport Club, Fort Wayne Turners, Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor and German Heritage Society. Each of these entities was founded by German immigrants, celebrates German-American culture and welcomes new members of any heritage. Dankeschön mit herzlichen Grüßen! Thank you with warm regards!

1. Germanfest website: https://germanfest.org/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Germanfest/ . Visit Fort Wayne has many blogs on Germanfest.

2. Posted by Fort Wayne Sport Club on Thursday, September 8, 2022

   The Fort Wayne Sport Club grew out of the German's love of soccer. In 1927, the club was started by the many soccer players who came to this area from Germany after WWI.

    

   Fort Wayne Sportclub: https://www.fortwaynesportclub.com/ The Club was founded in 1927 by a group of soccer players who had come to Fort Wayne, Indiana from Germany. Their goal was “The Promotion of Soccer Football and German Culture.” It has since established itself as one of the most successful Soccer Clubs in the Midwest. Read more on their About page.

3. Posted by Fort Wayne Turners on Friday, September 15, 2023

   The Fort Wayne Turners were organized in 1865 as the Turnverein, with a focus on gymnastics. Today the Turners have many physical education and civic programs, as well as many social events.German believe that physical fitness leads to a sound mind.

    

   Fort Wayne Turners, is a German Social and Sports Club located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Organized in 1865 as the Turnverein, with a focus on gymnastics. Today the Turners have many physical education and civic programs, as well as many social events. From a May 31, 2022 post by Germanfest on Facebook. Read their archived History from their  website: http://fortwayneturners.org/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortwayneturners.org/.

4. Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor is the second oldest German Singing society in Indiana as a Men's and Women's choir dedicated to the preservation and promotion of their German heritage as expressed in choral music. On October 4, 1869 the first German male chorus, established by German immigrants, was organized in Fort Wayne under the name of the Fort Wayne Sangerbund. Since its origin the chorus has been dedicated to the preservation and promotion of their German heritage as expressed in choral music. Read more of their History on their Website: https://fortwaynemaennerchor.us/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/118049268314366/.

5. Posted by German Heritage Society on Monday, October 3, 2022

   The German Heritage Society formed in 1986 to promote German heritage and culture in Fort Wayne. Sponsors many cultural events, provides scholarships to study German, and promotes travel to Germany. Was instrumental in establishing our Sister City relationship with Gera, Germany. The GHS goal is to keep German traditions alive in "this most German city".

    

   German Heritage Society - Founded in 1986, the German Heritage Society (GHS) is the youngest of the Fort Wayne German clubs and is focused on the preservation of the German History of Fort Wayne, Indiana. While each of the other German clubs have a specific focus (e.g. music or sports), GHS is intended to be a place for anyone with ties to or curiosity about: German culture, their German heritage, or the effects our local German history has had on the Fort Wayne Area. It is a welcoming club whose goal is to support, encourage, and stimulate education concerning German cultural traditions, German language, German-American immigration and German-American cultural development. Read more World of GHS on their website: http://www.germanheritagesociety.com/or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSFortWayne/.

6. 30 days from today the 40th Germanfest will begin in Fort Wayne, IN! video on Facebook.

7. Sounds of Germanfest Vol. 2 by GermanfestFortWayne

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8. ‘Tracht’ is a traditional national costume in German-speaking countries. It translates to ‘what is carried/worn/borne’....

   Posted by Germanfest on Saturday, June 8, 2024

   Saturday, June 8, 2024 post by Germanfest on Facebook:

   ‘Tracht’ is a traditional national costume in German-speaking countries. It translates to ‘what is carried/worn/borne’. Many people come to GermanFest wearing their favorite outfits!

   Some of the most popular are the “dirndl” and “lederhosen”. Another popular is the German Alpine Hat with pins. It is often a tradition to collect new pins to put on your hat.

   See if you can spot some of the traditional German “tracht” in our first costume contest!

   Like or comment on the picture you would like to vote for. We will announce a winner at 8pm today!