The opening ceremonies for the 101st German-American Fest will be on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8 pm in the Festival area at Lincoln Avenue and Leland Ave.
The three-day festival includes German food and beverages and music provided by German bands in two large tents. Carnival games are also available for the kids.
The 56th annual Von Steuben German Day Parade celebrating Chicago’s German Americans, steps off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The parade begins at 4000 N. Lincoln Ave. traveling to Wilson Avenue and north on Western Ave. The parade’s reviewing stand is located at Leland and Western avenues.
The parade honors Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a German military man who volunteered his services to Gen. George Washington, leader of the revolutionary army of the American colonies. Von Steuben converted the colonial army, mostly farmers and tradesmen, into a disciplined fighting force, instilling in them much needed inspiration, confidence and competence.
The parade, is sponsored by the United German American Societies of Greater Chicago includes marchers in ethnic costumes, floats, bands and marchers from many local German American organizations.
More than 50 floats will make their way through the Lincoln Square neighborhood, the heart of Chicago’s German-American Community and end in the Festival area. This year Erich Himmel is the Grand Marshall.
On Sunday the festival continues from noon to 10 pm with a cultural program at 2 pm. Traditional German singing and dancing groups and a drum and bugle corps will perform.
The German Day Association was founded in 1920 by dedicated Germans wishing to promote the usage and continuance of the German language, customs and songs in Chicago. At that time the Association became the umbrella organization for all of the German Organizations under the name of the United German American Societies of Greater Chicago.
Entrance to the festival area is free.