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To: Germanfest Picnic Festival Goers



From:The Germanfest Picnic Planning Committee

The Dayton Liederkranz-Turner is sorry to announce the cancellation of the 2020 GermanFest Picnic which was scheduled for August 14-16 at RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton. This would have been the 37th year for the event which has grown into one of the region’s largest and most popular festivals.

As with cancellations of other large festivals and public gatherings, concerns and requirements associated with public health and safety stemming from the COVID19 situation, preclude staging the GermanFest Picnic in its traditional format. We plan to return for the 38th year of the event on August 13-15, 2021 with all of the attractions that highlight the Fest.

The GermanFest Picnic represents the major annual fundraiser for maintenance and operation of the Liederkranz-Turner, Dayton’s oldest German Society. To address the financial challenge of this loss of income and to maintain the spirit and Gemuetlichkeit of GermanFest, the organization is planning an alternative Picnic at the Liederkranz facility, 1400 East Fifth Street, on that same August weekend. The plan is to offer some of the same Picnic attractions in a virtual capacity as well as our traditional food and beverages in a format that will meet health and safety requirements applicable at that time.

ATTRACTIONS Authentic German Food - All your favorites - Schnitzel Dinners, Brats, Metts, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut and desserts available for carry-out. Order ahead, and drive thru to pick up, take home, and enjoy.

- All your favorites - Schnitzel Dinners, Brats, Metts, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut and desserts available for carry-out. Order ahead, and drive thru to pick up, take home, and enjoy. Virtual Polka Mass - 10:00 a.m. Sunday

- 10:00 a.m. Sunday Large selection of German Beer (including Ayinger draft Oktoberfest) as well as domestic and craft beers. You can even get them to go when you order a meal!

of German Beer (including Ayinger draft Oktoberfest) as well as domestic and craft beers. You can even get them to go when you order a meal! Donors' Biergarten - Reserve a socially distanced table for up to 6 people for 2 hours, and enjoy your food and bier onsite (VERY limited availability, due to current health restrictions.) EXTREMELY LIMITED walk-ins permitted on a space-available basis. All guests need to wear masks and remain seated at their assigned tables.

Reserve a socially distanced table for up to 6 people for 2 hours, and enjoy your food and bier onsite (VERY limited availability, due to current health restrictions.) EXTREMELY LIMITED walk-ins permitted on a space-available basis. All guests need to wear masks and remain seated at their assigned tables. Membership Opportunities - Show your support for the DLT by joining today!

Show your support for the DLT by joining today! Virtual Bavarian Fashion Show - 2:30 p.m. Saturday

- 2:30 p.m. Saturday Kranzi Store - Your destination for Picnic swag featuring our favorite mascot - including masks, T-shirts, pins and more. SHOP HERE and pick up when you get your meal.

- Your destination for Picnic swag featuring our favorite mascot - including masks, T-shirts, pins and more. SHOP HERE and pick up when you get your meal. FREE PARKING - across the street at Stivers HS or SOITA

across the street at Stivers HS or SOITA CHALLENGE GRANT - We are undertaking a fundraising effort in conjunction with the GermanFest Picnic Lite. Our goal is to raise $13,000 which would approximate the typical donations and sponsorships at our usual GermanFest Picnic. Those funds go a long way toward ensuring that we cover our costs and remain viable for a repeat performance the following year. A handful of members and supporters have generously pledged $6,500 as a matching challenge grant to reach the $13,000 goal for the GermanFe st Picnic Lite. Your donation of whatever amount will be matched up to $6,500 toward our goal. This will ensure a profitable event with funds to sustain the Liederkranz into 2021. You can donate on-line or you can send a check to the Dayton Liederkranz Turner, 1400 E. Fifth St., Dayton, OH 45402 marked “Match Challenge Grant”. Danke!

SCHOLARSHIP

Part of the proceeds from the Germanfest Picnic goes to underwrite scholarships for deserving students who promote the German heritage and culture. Including this year's awards, the Germanfest Picnic scholarship awards have totaled almost $55,000 since the program's inception. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 Winners! Scholarships Xander Schrumf $2,000 Academic Awards Jillian Fry - $250 Colleen Fry - $250 GENEALOGY Representatives from the DLT Genealogy Group will greet you virtually, offer hints for getting started tracing your German ancestors, and share a recent presentation by Erin Pence. MEMBERSHIP The Dayton Liederkranz is always looking for new members. Click on the MEMBERSHIP button at the bottom of this page to download an application. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES We can't have even a Germanfest Picnic LITE without Volunteers. Please use this link to select the days and times you are available to help (don't forget to check the "Show more spots" button for later times on Saturday!) SPONSORSHIP/MARKETING/PUBLICITY OPPORTUNITIES The Dayton Liederkranz Turner is a 501c3 organization.

All donations are fully tax-deductible.

The GermanFest Picnic has grown over its 37 year history into one of the region's largest and most favorite festivals. The three-day event is staged by the Dayton Liederkranz -Turner, a 130 year old organization dedicated to preserving German heritage in the Miami Valley.

The Dayton Liederkranz Turner (together with its GermanFest Picnic) is a 501-C-3 charitable organization with the festival constituting the major fundraiser for the organization. Net proceeds insure continuance of the organization and this community festival. The formidable typical start-up costs exceeding $60,000 would be more than the Liederkranz could muster without sponsors and community support. We request your sponsorship and tax deductible contributions to "Fund the Fest".