The German-American Festival is the Toledo area’s oldest and largest ethnic festival with plenty of delicious food, great entertainment and more.
2023 DATE: August 25-27, 2023
Location: Oak Shade Grove
3624 Seaman Rd
Oregon, OH 43616
Website: https://www.facebook.com/GAFSociety
****
My first experience was in 2010, which you can read at https://ohiofestivals.net/51-german-american-festival-oregon-august-27-2010/
This post documents my experience on August 26, 2022.
****
After 12 years, I returned to Oak Shade Grove…
…to see my old friends, Mitzi and Mortiz…
…and enjoy an evening at the German-American Festival.
Right off the bat, I consulted the festival map…
…and found myself the closest of many food/drink ticket booths…
…so that I would have plenty of tickets for when I got hungry…
…whether for a small snack, like almonds or pretzels…
…something more substantial, like pommes frites and sauerkraut balls…
…or full-on meals involving sandwiches, brats…
…or complete chicken dinners.
I became aware of some foods that I would have to plan ahead for…
…as the schnitzel had a wait…
…and the line for the potato pancakes was particularly impressive…
…which was probably why many guests were carrying a cold, refreshing waiting companion with them in line…
…purchased from one of the many bars that sold up to 54 different kinds of domestic and international beer.
But I also noticed, outside of line, beer was also enjoyed by couples…
…large gatherings of families and friends…
…and even friends with feathered hats…
…and they enjoyed it in biergartens…
…weingartens…
…amongst a great mass of people…
…and at stein holding competitions,
…where competitors held beer-filled steins for the audience’s entertainment.
And there was even more entertainment at the German-American Festival…
…as there were also dancing performances…
…live music on multiple stages…
…a grand parade that marched through the grounds…
…and a carnival with plenty of rides…
…and multiple prize games.
Finally, there was shopping.
Vendors offered everything from German family history to festival accessories…
…and they ranged from the very traditional…
…to the extremely playful.
There were also festival souvenirs…
…assorted leather goods (Crimson Chain Leatherworks)…
…including these cool steins (Crimson Chain Leatherworks)…
…traditional handmade and painted steins (Haas Stein Haus)…
…and even instant German lederhosen.
You could even shop for German baked goods, cheeses and more…
…at the Swiss Essen Haus…
…which is where I got myself this ham hock dinner with potato salad and pickled eggs…
…and the meat was delicious and so plentiful…
…that it almost prevented me from eating my dessert.
Almost.