Traverse City Record-Eagle

Otsego County

July 13, 2009

Gaylord's Alpenfest is in its 45th year

BY SHERI McWHIRTER

GAYLORD -- Grab your lederhosen and head for the highlands -- the annual Alpenfest celebration is about to kick-off in Gaylord.

Northern Michigan's Alpine town creates a week-long flurry of bratwurst and sauerkraut, yodeling competitions, traditional Alpine garb plus a smorgasbord of food choices. This year marks the 45th annual festival in the city nestled on the 45th parallel.

"It's a great community project. It's a good family festival," said Bruce Brown, owner of Alpine Chocolate Haus in downtown Gaylord. "Alpenfest is a hidden jewel."

Gaylord's annual festival may not have the promotional budget of Traverse City's annual National Cherry Festival, but local folks find that many flock to their city for the Alpine-themed event. It's common for those who've moved away from northern Michigan over the years to return for the festivities, Brown said.

"You get a lot of reunions. It's a great time to meet old friends," he said.

This year's Alpenfest launches today with activities including the wurst wagon and the queen's pageant. A $3 Alpenfest pin will get visitors free wurst under the pavilion at 7 p.m., the same time the pageant begins on the Alpenstage.

Alpenfest pins also serve as a passport to free or reduced cost events throughout the festival, scheduled through Saturday.

"Summer is here and people are up and looking for things to do. We're hopeful we'll have big crowds," said Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce and the local visitors' bureau.

Several blocks in downtown Gaylord will be blocked off to traffic to create the "Alpenstrasse" for craft vendors, carnival rides and other events.

Well-known local farmers Gene and Barb Fleming will serve as the 2009 Alpenfest "buergermeisters," honorary mayors of Gaylord.

"We're supposed to be there as much as possible, which isn't that hard because we love it so much," Barb Fleming said.

Alpenfest is a family tradition and generations of Flemings participated over the years in the annual walking parade for those donned in traditional Alpine clothing, she said.

Organizers are pleased with the weather forecast that calls for sunny or partly cloudy skies throughout the week, save for a chance of rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday. Temperatures will remain in the 70s, except Friday with highs in the 60s, said Andy Sullivan, meteorologist with the National Weather Service station in Gaylord.

"It will be mostly good weather, a little cooler than normal," he said.

Visit www.gaylordalpenfest.com for more information, or call 1(800)345-8621.

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