The Dayton Germanfest Picnic is excited to announce that its new venue is RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton. “We received over 30 suggestions of new locations from all over the Miami Valley,” explained Chairperson John Koerner, “but because of the 127-year connection of our sponsor, the Dayton Liederkranz-Turner, with the downtown area, we really wanted to keep it in Dayton proper if at all possible. A survey conducted on our Facebook page showed that RiverScape MetroPark was by far the most popular choice. Dayton Celtic Fest and other festivals have put RiverScape MetroPark on the map as Dayton’s favorite spot to celebrate, and we look forward to building on that tradition, and infusing it with our own special German ambience – we call it Gemütlichkeit.”
Photo provided by Theresa Gasper
When the Liederkranz received word that Carillon Park would no longer be available for the Germanfest Picnic, Val Hunt Beerbower and Sandy Gudorf from the Downtown Dayton Partnership were among the first to contact us to offer to help us find a new location. The Partnership helped us meet with the folks at Five Rivers MetroParks, who have been a joy to work with. The rest, as they say, is history.
The new location will allow for future growth of the Germanfest Picnic, starting with extended hours this year for the Germanfest Picnic – 5-11 p.m on Friday, August 11, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 12, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 13, with a Polka Mass at 10 a.m.
The Germanfest 5K and 10K will have a new route this year, and has been moved to Saturday morning, August 12 at 9:00 a.m. Registration information is available at www.keysports.net.
The Dayton Liederkranz Turner is most grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support we have received from the Dayton community this past couple months, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Germanfest Picnic’s new home at RiverScape MetroPark for its 34th edition on August 11, 12 and 13. A full range of sponsorship, marketing, and publicity opportunities are available.
