LETTER FROM THE LEHIGH SAENGERBUND PRESIDENT about Sommerfest In The Valley 2008
Liebe Festival Freunde und Gäste:
Sommer (summer in German) is coming early this year!
The Lehigh Saengerbund, the German-American Society of the Lehigh Valley, is the proud organizer of Sommerfest In The Valley 2008, a celebration of Germanic heritage and culture. For its first appearance, Sommerfest will be an exciting, novel venue in conjunction with Mayfair Festival of the Arts 2008.
The Lehigh Saengerbund, an Allentown organization since 1858, is 150 years old this year. It began as a traditional, family-oriented singing society. While maintaining its musical roots as one of the oldest choruses in the country, the organization has developed a focus on cultivating, preserving and strengthening German-American culture, education and traditions, along with sister Germanic groups in the region. To bring more awareness to these efforts, we seek fun and educational ways to celebrate Germanic culture with a unique American flair. Sommerfest is intended to demonstrate all that through a combination of activities highlighting the music, culture, and traditions in a way that promises to entertain everyone, whether of Germanic ancestry or otherwise.
Please check the Featured Areas and Schedule for the variety of activities and events Sommerfest is offering in its preview year.
We invite the public to look at this event as an opportunity to extend your knowledge and/or understanding of the Germanic language and culture. We encourage people to wear traditional clothing, Lederhosen or Dirndl (collectively called Trachten), and speak as often as possible in Germanic native tongues.
Sommerfest offers individuals and communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region an opportunity to experience the uniqueness of Germanic culture, heritage, history and entertainment.
Wilkommen und viel spaβ,
Jack Lojko
President
Lehigh Saengerbund