| Thursday, May 22 |
4:30 to 7:30PM |
Jolly Bavarians
Traditional Germanic – The sounds of the Alps of Germany, Austria and Switzerland – that’s what we are all about. A unique blend of music, costumes, sing-a-longs and audience participation to create ‘Gemütlichkeit’, a coming together and a festive atmosphere.
Purchase your own copy of "Singen zum Sommerfest" as a memento of Sommerfest in the Valley 2008 and to use during our sing-a-long starting at 7:00pm accompanied by the Jolly Bavarians. |
| 7:00 to 9:00PM |
Sommerfest Sponsor Reception
Kaffee und Kuchen Preview (Sunday event) |
| 7:30PM |
Official Beer Tapping Ceremony
Special Guests: Allentown Mayor, Ed Pawlowski.
Honorary Miss Sommerfest: a local high school exchange
student through AFS Intercultural Programs. She is from
Hamburg, Germany.
Lehigh Saengerbund Chorus Singers perform from the "Singen zum Sommerfest" Songbook available to the public for Festhalle fun.
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| 8:00 to 11:00PM |
Sky's The Limit
Popular hits from the 50s through the 90’s – Known as one of the best all occasion dance bands with a great reputation for having the ability to please each and every crowd they perform for. |
| Friday, May 23 |
4:30 to 7:30PM |
Shanta
Traditional Germanic & mid European – Originally known as the Burgenlander Band with a repertoire of original and arranged polkas, waltzes and landlers in the authentic German / Autrian / Hungarian style. The band stays true to the authentic style of Folk Music plus the addition of many popular tunes. |
| 8:00 to 11:00PM |
Aardvarks
Rock & Roll - The band has been praised for their ability to cater to any crowd by performing a wide array of musical genres and styles. Since 2004, The Aardvarks have assembled a song catalog of over 100 songs and are constantly expanding their repertoire both with covers and originals. Despite record setting attendances and an impressive music catalog, perhaps the most endearing quality of The Aardvarks is their youth and energy. No matter the age or size of the crowd, type of event or location, the band delivers quality performances consistently making them a local favorite and guaranteed good time for friends, family, employees, guests and fans alike. |
| Saturday, May 24 |
11:00AM |
WALN Digital Cable Radio Show (pre-festival start)
Come meet Happy Jack Burns, from the Party Channel, and beautiful Alex, the Polka Puss, in person! |
| 12:00Noon |
DJ Music |
| 2:30 to 6:30PM |
Johnny Dee
Traditional Germanic |
| 8:00 to 10:00PM |
Jägerettes from Jägermeister
Jägermeister, a popular German liqueur made with herbs, roots, and spices, will be available throughout Sommerfest. The Jägerettes make a special appearance on Saturday evening to feature the drink and are dressed in cultural garb. |
| 7:00 to 11:00PM |
Lou Franco Project
Ultimate Classic Rock - "For Classic Rock afficionados, the Lou Franco Project is a must see! This power trio of extremely talented musicians performs a searing and wide ranging repertoire of musical favorites from Zep to Floyd to King Crimson??! You will not believe your ears! |
| Sunday, May 25 |
11:00AM |
WALN Digital Cable Radio Show (pre-festival start)
Come meet Happy Jack Burns, from the Party Channel, and beautiful Alex, the Polka Puss, in person! |
| 12:00Noon |
DJ Music |
| 12:00 to 5:00PM |
Kaffee und Kuchen
This event invites festival goers to partake in a Germanic tradition of enjoying an afternoon break for cake and coffee. An assortment of Germanic baked goods and coffee will be waiting!
Lehigh and Coplay Saengerbund Choruses perform from 1:00 pm to 2:30pm
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| 2:30 to 6:30PM |
Joseph Kroboth
Eroclass Recording Artist - Joe has been playing in the Tri State area for over 30 years; playing many different types of music, but specializing in Austrian and German music. He has entertained at many different festivals and Oktoberfests. He has been featured on cruise ships. He has released numerous recordings and has even run excursions to Austria and the surrounding countries. |
| 5:00PM |
Auerhahn Schuhplattler (click here)
The Auerhahn Schuhplattler Verein is a multigenerational club founded in 1979 performing Schuhplattler folk dance and other dances native to Bavaria. The Schuhplattler is a readily recognized dance where men perform complicated jumps and slap their thighs in time with the music and ladies twirl, showing off their traditional skirts. Our elaborate formal costumes are patterned on those worn in the late 1800s in the Miesbach area of Bavaria or simpler informal costumes, depending on the occasion, and dance to the accompaniment of our talented accordionists. We’ve performed at events such as MusikFest and Gaufest. |
| 7:00 to 11:00PM |
Walt Groller
Traditional German / Austrian – Recognized as this country’s “Polka Ambassador to the World”. Nominated for a Grammy in 1988, the polka maestro was inducted into the international Polka Hall of Fame at Chicago in 1986. Recording twenty-four albums and writing numerous songs over the years, Groller’s music is played year after year on bandstands from the Lehigh Valley to Burgenland, and on radio stations in Milwaukee to studios in Vienna. |
| Monday, May 26 |
11:00AM |
WALN Digital Cable Radio Show (pre-festival start)
Come meet Happy Jack Burns, from the Party Channel, and beautiful Alex, the Polka Puss, in person! |
| 12:00Noon |
DJ Music |
| 12:30 to 3:30PM |
Joe Weber
Traditional Germanic |
| 4:00 to 7:00PM |
MELODEE ACES
Traditional and Contemporary |