Press Room

                       PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Shelly A. Good-Cook                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: 703.799.3969
Email: shellygood@hotmail.com <mailto:shellygood@hotmail.com>

GermanFest to Feature Historical Presentations and
Period Skill Demonstrations as well as Food and Fun

The 2^nd Annual GermanFest, an Oktoberfest-like event to be hosted by the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum (SGHM), is set for Saturday September 24, 2011 from 10 am - 6 pm. The Festival will be held at the Hottel-Keller Homestead, located at 11523 Back Road, Toms Brook, VA 22660, home of the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum.

“More than 1,700 people attended GermanFest in 2010, despite near record breaking temperatures and we expect turnout to be greater in 2011 because people are still talking about the wonderful time they had last year” said GermanFest Planning Committee Member, and Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Shelly A. Good-Cook.

GermanFest will feature
·Beer & Wine Garden
·German & American Food
·Live Music
   oan authentic German band (The Original Elbe Musikanten German Band)
   olocal bluegrass sensations “Five of a Kind”
·Art & Craft Fair
·Historical Presentations and interpretations include
   o“A Time for All Seasons”, a dramatization of Rev. Peter Muhlenberg’s fiery speech to his
          congregation in January 1776 presented by the local Chapters of DAR and SAR
   oTalks by a “Civil War Doctor”
   oA talk on “pow wowing”
   oFirst person interpretation by Lord Fairfax
·Period Skill Demonstrations include
   oWeaving on our historic 19^th century floor loom which has been warped to weave rag
         rugs. The loom is original to the Hottel Keller property and has come down through the
         family.
   oRope making demonstrations
   oHorseshoeing demonstrations
   oBasket weaving demonstrations
   oSpinning wool on various types of spinning wheels
   oHeritage doll making
·Children’s activities - presented by the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
·Military Re-enactors
·Massanutten Antique Tractor & Steam Engine Association & Equipment Display
·A working Calliope made in Germany for the 1939 World's Fair

“There is still time to sign up as a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer. We will be enhancing what we did last year by increasing the amount of vendors and improving the attendee’s experience by having more volunteers” said Chester Ramey, GermanFest Planning Committee Chairman.

“We are seeking volunteers from the community” said Phyllis Wright, GermanFest Planning Committee Member & Volunteer Coordinator. “In order for the event to run smoothly we need more than 50-75 volunteers to work half or full day shifts on jobs like set-up/break-down; sponsor hospitality; parking attendants/traffic control; docents; vendor liaisons; and so much more. Folks can even volunteer to work together with a friend on the same shift. A commemorative volunteer GermanFest t-shirt, parking pass and some food are included as benefits. There is a sign-up form on our Website.”

“We will have some seating available in our beer and wine garden,” said Ramey, “but it would be a good idea for folks to bring their own lawn chairs since we are expecting a large crowd. As far as what is not allowed, the list is short but it includes carry-in food and beverages. Please also note that pets are absolutely prohibited at GermanFest except certified assistance animals. People should also bring cameras as there will be many opportunities to take photos.”

GermanFest welcomes first time gold level sponsor Don Beyer Volkswagen of Winchester. We are proud to welcome back Yuengling Beer/Dixie Beverage back as a Gold sponsor. We are excited to announce GermanFest will be one of the first places where you can taste Yeungling’s new Oktoberfest Beer which is only available in kegs!

Free Admission - $5 per car parking

For more information on the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum’s GermanFest including past press releases, the schedule of events and photos from last year, log on to www.GermanFestVA.org <http://www.GermanFestVA.org> or find us on Facebook under “GermanFest VA”.

The Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum is owned and operated by Hottel-Keller Memorial, Inc, (HKMI) a non-profit organization.

The Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum, which encompasses a 392 acre homestead, historic buildings, and a variety of artifacts such as household implements, furniture, tools, documents, and other items related to the history of the property and the people who lived there from the early 1740s until 1984, collects, preserves, and displays artifacts related to the Valley’s Germanic people. We are dedicated to public understanding of the Germanic Heritage of the Great Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We -

·maintain and exhibit our original Germanic homestead
·collect, demonstrate, and document artifacts of everyday life
·collect and share stories of the Germanic lifestyle
·continue to expand our genealogical data of Germanic settlers in the Shenandoah Valley

For more information on the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum or HKMI log on to www.hottelkeller.org <http://www.hottelkeller.org>

To request a Free Media Pass Form to GermanFest or to schedule an interview, please contact Shelly A. Good-Cook listed above

                                                                        ###

                        PRESS RELEASE

GermanFest Partners with Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum

The 2^nd Annual GermanFest, an Oktoberfest-like event to be hosted by the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum (SGHM), is set for Saturday September 24, 2011 from 10 am - 6 pm. The Festival will be held at the Hottel-Keller Homestead, located at 11523 Back Road, Toms Brook, VA 22660, home of the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum.

“More than 1,700 people attended GermanFest in 2010, despite near record breaking temperatures and we expect turnout to be greater in 2011 because people are still talking about the wonderful time they had last year” said GermanFest Planning Committee Member, and Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Shelly A. Good-Cook.

“We are thrilled to have the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum provide hands-on children’s activities this year” said Good-Cook. “The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum will be offering simple hands-on games, typical of what children would have played in colonial America. These games of skill would have taught children, in a fun way, to develop the eye hand coordination and concentration necessary to master adult handicraft skills,” said Jan Kirby, Director of Education and Programs, of the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum.

GermanFest will feature
·Beer & Wine Garden
·German & American Food
·Live Music
oan authentic German band (The Original Elbe Musikanten German Band)
olocal bluegrass sensations “Five of a Kind”
·Art & Craft Fair
·Historical Presentations include
oA reenactment of Rev. Peter Muhlenberg’s fiery speech to his congregation in January 1776 presented by the Narrow Passage Chapter of DAR and Col. James Wood II SAR Chapter
oTalks by Civil War Doctor, Chuck Raugh
·Period Skill Demonstrations include
oRope making
oHorseshoeing
oBasket weaving
·Children’s activities - presented by the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
·Military Re-enactors

“There is still time to sign up as a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer. We will be enhancing what we did last year by increasing the amount of vendors and improving the attendee’s experience by having more volunteers” said Chester Ramey, GermanFest Planning Committee Chairman.

“We are seeking volunteers from the community” said Phyllis Wright, GermanFest Planning Committee Member & Volunteer Coordinator. “In order for the event to run smoothly we need more than 50-75 volunteers to work half or full day shifts on jobs like set-up/break-down; sponsor hospitality; parking attendants/traffic control; docents; vendor liaisons; and so much more. Folks can even volunteer to work together with a friend on the same shift. A commemorative volunteer GermanFest t-shirt, parking pass and some food are included as benefits. There is a sign-up form on our Website.”

“We will have some seating available in our beer and wine garden,” said Ramey, “but it would be a good idea for folks to bring their own lawn chairs since we are expecting a large crowd. As far as what is not allowed, the list is short but it includes carry-in food and beverages. Please also note that pets are absolutely prohibited at GermanFest except certified assistance animals. People should also bring cameras as there will be many opportunities to take photos.”

GermanFest is proud to have Yuengling Beer/Dixie Beverage back as a top level sponsor, and we welcome first time gold level sponsor Don Beyer Volkswagen of Winchester.

Free Admission - $5 per car parking

For more information on the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum’s GermanFest including the schedule of events and photos from last year, log on to www.GermanFestVA.org <http://www.GermanFestVA.org> or find us on Facebook under “GermanFest VA”.

The Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum is owned and operated by Hottel-Keller Memorial, Inc, (HKMI) a non-profit organization.

The Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum, which encompasses a 392 acre homestead, historic buildings, and a variety of artifacts such as household implements, furniture, tools, documents, and other items related to the history of the property and the people who lived there from the early 1740s until 1984, collects, preserves, and displays artifacts related to the Valley’s Germanic people. We are dedicated to public understanding of the Germanic Heritage of the Great Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We -

·maintain and exhibit our original Germanic homestead
·collect, demonstrate, and document artifacts of everyday life
·collect and share stories of the Germanic lifestyle
·continue to expand our genealogical data of Germanic settlers in the Shenandoah Valley

For more information on the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum or HKMI log on to www.hottelkeller.org <http://www.hottelkeller.org>

The mission of the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, located in Winchester, Virginia, is to ignite creativity, spark curiosity and inspire learning in visitors of all ages by providing a rich variety of interactive, hands-on exhibits and programs that focus on the sciences and mathematics, the humanities, and the arts. For more information log onto www.discoverymuseum.net <http://www.discoverymuseum.net>

To request a Free Media Pass Form to GermanFest or to schedule an interview, please contact Shelly A. Good-Cook listed above

                                                                     ###

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Shelly A. Good-Cook                                                       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: 703.799.3969
Email: shellygood@hotmail.com

Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum's
2nd Annual GermanFest looks to repeat success!

GermanFest, an Oktoberfest-like event to be hosted by the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum (SGHM), is set for Saturday September 24, 2011 from 10 am - 6 pm. The Festival will be held at the Hottel-Keller Homestead, located at 11523 Back Road, Toms Brook, VA 22660, home of the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum.

"More than 1,700 people attended GermanFest in 2010, despite near record breaking temperatures and we expect turnout to be greater in 2011 because people are still talking about the wonderful time they had last year" said GermanFest Planning Committee Member, and Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Shelly A. Good-Cook.

GermanFest will feature
   • Beer & Wine Garden
   • German & American Food
   • Live Music
           an authentic German band (The Original Elbe Musikanten German Band)
           local bluegrass sensations "Five of a Kind"
   • Art & Craft Fair
• Historical Presentations include
          A reenactment of Rev. Peter Muhlenberg famous speech to his congregation in January 1776
          presented by the Narrow Passage Chapter of DAR and Col. James Wood II SAR Chapter

          Talks by Civil War Doctor, Chuck Raugh
   • Period Skill Demonstrations include
   • Rope making
   • Horseshoeing
   • Basket weaving
   • Children s activities - by the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
   • Military Re-enactors

There is still time to sign up as a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer. "We will be enhancing what we did last year by increasing the amount of vendors and improving the attendee s experience by having more volunteers" said Chester Ramey, GermanFest Planning Committee Chairman.

"We are seeking volunteers from the community" said Phyllis Wright, GermanFest Planning Committee Member & Volunteer Coordinator. "In order for the event to run smoothly we need more than 50-75 volunteers to work half or full day shifts on jobs like set-up/break-down; sponsor hospitality; parking attendants/traffic control; docents; vendor liaisons; and so much more. Folks can even volunteer to work together with a friend on the same shift. A commemorative volunteer GermanFest t-shirt, parking pass and some food are included as benefits. There is a sign-up form on our Website."

"We will have some seating available in our beer and wine garden," said Ramey, "but it would be a good idea for folks to bring their own lawn chairs since we are expecting a large crowd. As far as what is not allowed, the list is short but it includes carry-in food and beverages. Please also note that pets are absolutely prohibited at GermanFest except certified assistance animals. People should also bring cameras as there will be many opportunities to take photos.".

GermanFest is proud to have Yuengling Beer/Dixie Beverage as our top level sponsor.

Free Admission - $5 per car parking

For more information on the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum s GermanFest including the schedule of events and photos from last year, log on to www.GermanFestVA.org

The Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum is owned and operated by Hottel-Keller Memorial, Inc, (HKMI) a non-profit organization.

The Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum, which encompasses a 392 acre homestead, historic buildings, and a variety of artifacts such as household implements, furniture, tools, documents, and other items related to the history of the property and the people who lived there from the early 1740s until 1984, collects, preserves, and displays artifacts related to the Valley s Germanic people. We are dedicated to public understanding of the Germanic Heritage of the Great Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We -

• maintain and exhibit our original Germanic homestead
• collect, demonstrate, and document artifacts of everyday life
• collect and share stories of the Germanic lifestyle
• continue to expand our genealogical data of Germanic settlers in the Shenandoah Valley

For more information on the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum or HKMI log on to www.hottelkeller.org

To request a Free Media Pass Form, please contact Shelly A. Good-Cook listed above

                                                                    ###