Activities & Events

Live Music
Everyone loved our German band last year and they're returning for 2011! They're the Original Elbe-Musikanten German Band, a group of nine to thirteen musicians who enjoy playing the traditional style mainly of German, Austrian, Czech and Slovak music such as polkas, marches, waltzes and other dances as well as favorite songs. The music is typical of the kind you would listen to at a German village event where the community gathers to celebrate and socialize. This, of course, includes also music for Oktoberfest and Gemütlichkeit. The band itself is configured, in true German village style, to include flugelhorns and tenor horns, along with clarinets, trumpet, trombones, tuba, and percussion. Hear them on their website.

This year we're welcoming the popular "Five of a Kind" bluegrass band! We're all very thrilled that they can come!!For over 30 years the Five of a Kind bluegrass band has been entertaining audiences up and down the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Based in Strasburg, VA, the group's personable and involve-the-audience approach to the music has gathered them a large following throughout the area with their traditional blend of bluegrass and classic country. See more on their website.

We welcome back Mixtress Maud, returning this year as our DJ! She did a fabulous job last year & we're happy to have her back in charge of the sound system. If you're having a special occasion, she's the best one to bring music of all kinds to the party. Reach her at maudsmews@aol.com.

Beer, Wine & Food Garden see Vendor page

Craft Demonstrations & Vendors see Vendors page

2011 Historians & Re-enactors

49th VA Infantry, CO A-K
49thvirginiainfantry.com
The 49th Virginia Infantry Regiment, C.S.A. was the pride and joy of the 64 year old ex-governor of Virginia, William Smith. "Extra Billy Smith's Boy's" as the 49th came to be known, was originally recruited from Warren County VA, part of the "Warren Blues." The 49th Virginia participated in all major actions of the Eastern Theater, beginning with an initial group of some 210 recruits, who participated in the 1st Battle of Bull Run or Manassas.

Visit their excellent website for more information.

Massanutten Antique Tractor & Gasoline Engine Club
www.massanuttenantiquetractor.com
Based out of Middletown, this group will be bringing several antique tractors for your enjoyment. Their goals is to preserve antique tractors, gasoline engines, farm implements, and equipment.

Intermont Military Vehicle Club
autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/imvc/
We'll be bringing several military vehicles to GermanFest. Our club is for those who collect, restore, operate or have an interest in historic military vehicles in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Vehicle ownership is encouraged, but not required. US and foreign military vehicles and enthusiasts are welcome.

We have several club events every year such as picnics, trail rides, displays, parades and convoys that members can participate in. The IMVC is an affiliated chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association - MVPA.

Rev. Peter Muhlenberg
See a re-enactment of Rev. Peter Muhlenberg's fiery "This is a time for war" sermon where, from the pulpit, he removed his pastor's robes to reveal his Colonel's uniform. "Outside the church door the drums began to roll as men turned to kiss their wives and then walked down the aisle to enlist, and within half an hour, 162 men were enrolled.[3] The next day he led out 300 men from the county to form the nucleus of the Eighth Virginia." (from Wikipedia)

Thomas, Lord Fairfax
Meet Lord Fairfax, the great proprietor the Northern Neck, the source of names using Fairfax all around Virginia. His enormous land grants go back to 1649. Anyone researching land or genealogy in this area has seen his name many times, as he was the first owner of the lands before private ownership of land after the Revolution.

See our Civil War doctor in the field! This was a popular event last year - fascinating. He has a full tent and lots of medical equipment - and he knows how to use it. (Sorry, we won't be amputating limbs on-site . . . . this year.) Hear the amazing back stories of what people those days encountered.

Pow-Wowwing
You might have heard that the German people were superstitious - hear about the potions, charms and incantations they used to heal physical ailments and sometimes to cure mental ailments too. It was called Pow-Wowwing and you'll hear about it from talented historical performer Gae Ward.

Farrier/ Horseshoeing
Don Ober of Fulks Run VA will be showing the old method of shoeing a horse. Come see a real farrier at work!

Doll Making
What did children play with in the 1700s? You'll see a variety of old-fashioned dolls being made out of available materials, including hickory nuts. Our specialist Irma King makes dolls like those made by her own grandmother, Lydia Hottle Breeden of Columbia Furnace.

Rope Making
Everyone's fascinated by how ropes were made before the times of Home Depot. Join Mr. Wright as he shows you how it was done.

Keller Bake Oven
See the only working bake oven in our area! See how our grandmothers baked bread and other food on our storyboard of an actual firing from earlier in the month. Vicki Mongold, our Bake Oven Guild Master, will be there to show how the bake oven operates.

Pottery
The Shenandoah Valley was known for it's utilitarian and "whimsy" pottery. Strasburg in particular was a famous pottery town. Come see Karol Hottle and Donna Bean as they demonstrate how to make pottery.

Spinners and Weavers
See how our grandmothers made the family clothes. Vicki Mongold, Sue Ober, Tasy Hawkins, Joyce Hamrick and others will be spin cloth on drop spindles and wheels - and on our enormous original loom in action which we are proud to show to the public for the first time.

Original Kitchen
No microwaves, no electricty, no running hot water. How did the women manage to cook for their large families. Come around behind the museum and see for yourself. A spring runs right through the kitchen (their refrigerator) and a huge hearth still has the cranes and other cooking equipment. Join Claire Ainsworth as she shows you how they cooked and preserved food back in the 1800s.

Children's Area by the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum! The Discover Museum will offer a variety of activities for many ages, so come join in the fun!
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
www.discoverymuseum.net
54 S. Loudoun Street (south end of Winchester Pedestrian Mall)
Winchester, VA 22601
540-722-2020

Moon Bounces in the Children's Area also! (weather permitting) by M&S Mills Fun Events and Food who will also be selling food & drink in the Children's Area. M&S is in Winchester at 540-678-1864.