In 1985 the German Hungarians attended their first Gaufest in Denver, CO.
“I think it was just amazing to us. We never saw that many hats or that many feathers. Everything was ‘Gau-this’ and ‘Gau-that.’
When we had dinner we joked that it was served with ‘Gau Sauce.’” – Lisa Fricker
Somewhere during that trip the phrase said by them all became “WOW WHAT A GAU!”
Photos complete with construction paper captions written by Janet Malofiy.
You can read Lisa Hartmann Fricker’s article from the 1985 trip to Colorado by clicking here.
And so that was the start for the United German Hungarians attendance of the Gaufest. We’ve been to every one since. We hosted the 19. Gaufest in 2003 in Philadelphia. Now in 2025 we successfully hosted our second Gaufest with our partners the Enzian Volkstanzgruppe. On July 6, at the Picnic, the folks who attended that Gaufest in 1985 as the German Hungarians celebrated 40 years since their first Gaufest.
Much will be said in the rest of this article about the 30. Gaufest, but one thing I know we can say right now is,
“Wow. What a Gau!”
THE FESTZELT
“Treu, der Sitte, treu der Tracht, treu der Heimat,” is the motto woven into the German Hungarians Flag. It means faithful to the traditions. It means faithful to the costume. It means faithful to the homeland.
“Sitt ’ und Brauch der Alten Wollen Wir erhalten,” is the motto of the Enzian Volkstanzgruppe. It states with emphasis that the old ways, the traditions, and the customs are what they want to preserve.
The motto then of the 30. Gaufest became “Wie dahoam in Bayern unterm Großen Festzelt.” It takes the spirit of the other two and applies it to the concept of the Gaufest.
A tent larger than the size used for the Delaware Saengerbund (DSB)’s famous Oktoberfest was erected on the soccer field. Satellite tents for Ernst Licht and the food operations were included as well. The pole barn, the pavilion and the clubhouse were also host to some events during the weekend. The DSB also spruced up the Maibaum with a new paint job.
Setup photos by Ron & Judy Ariganello.
See all their prep photos at this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/efid8GSmxxi5UewR7
The raised stage was expanded in size with new panels being built just for this weekend. This floor was previously used for competition at the 21. Gaufest in Hershey. Decorations and some of the authentic Oktoberfest tables were lent to us by Brauhaus Schmitz! The latter were used in the corner Biergarten area.
The end of the tent was reserved for the Kinder Zone, with activities, crafts, games and toys for the younger generations. Between that zone and the playground I barely saw Michael Kredler Fricker all weekend except once when Sawyer Meck told me he was “friends with Michael K and my daddy is friends with you!” One other time I found him asleep at a table near the Biergarten during the parade of flags.
A welcome sign in rustic wood stating “Griass Eich” and a photo window were handmade by Klaus Vikari. These made for great photo ops with the big tent in the background.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Water was always found at specially located water filling stations throughout the weekend. Bottled water, soda, and iced tea were available for purchase. They could be bought during the competitions and before the official start times of the evening events. Soda and water was included with wine and beer during the official events. (Welcome Dance, the Heimatabend, the Banquet, the Picnic and the Farewell party.) Specialty alcohol items like seltzers, canned radlers, schnapps, and mixed drinks could also be purchased in the Biergarten.
Breakfast and lunch was available on Friday and Saturday for purchase. These menu’s included items like bagels, fruit, juice and coffee for breakfast. Lunch included assorted wurst, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads and PHILLY soft pretzels. Other available items included Leberkase, and Steckerlfisch. Cake by HEINZ was also available. Our clubs were able to include in the ticket a Friday night platter of Kassler Rippchen. The Saturday banquet was catered by Cafe Gelato. The Sunday Picnic was enjoyed by all (despite the line) with BBQ chicken, wurst, hot dogs, salads and sweets. The Sunday night picnic had BBQ pulled pork sandwiches which were quite popular and smoked right on property. All the food prepared and served on property was managed by John Degenhardt who we all thank.
THURSDAY
Thursday registration began in the afternoon. Guests from across the country, Canada, and Europe arrived and were welcomed at their respective hotels. Flowers were delivered or picked up at the clubhouse. A practice floor was opened in the Deutsche Halle. Flag storage was provided to clubs as well in the new pole barn on the DSB property. The tent officially opened at 6:00pm with the welcome dance starting at 7:00pm. A VIP cocktail hour took place in the club’s Bauernstube. There was a spread of refreshments and Brotzeit. The wine, locally made in Delaware, was donated by the Rizzo family. A teen meet and greet and social media challenge was held Thursday as well. For entertainment, Maria & John had the full tent Schunkeln that evening. It was also great to see many enjoying their beverages in their handmade in the USA Gaufest stein, or vacuum tumbler.
FRIDAY
Friday was Einzelpreisplatteln day. Two circles were used, one in the Deutsche Halle and the other in the fest tent. Over 120 couples participated. Results of the Einzel competitions can be found at Gauverband.com.
Watch all the 30. Gaufest competition videos at youtube.com
The Gaubibliothek Museum also opened on Friday. A nice display was housed appropriately in the DSB’s Library room.
Workshops held following the Einzel included: the History of Folk Dancing with Marlene Fricker, Steckerlfisch with Brian Schulz & Klaus Vikari, An Adult Dance Workshop hosted by Vroni Bellinger. Florian Engelmaier & Klaus Vikari held a care and cleaning workshop for flags following the Fahnentraeger meeting.
The Schafkopf Tournier also was held in the afternoon. Winners (though announced on Sunday) were as follows:
Schafkopf König: Chris Siegmann, GTV Almrausch Philadelphia
Solo Königin: April Weber, STV Bavaria Cleveland
The Heimatabend began at 7:00pm. Minutes after the event began, the Gaukapelle was prematurely cut. The lights went down in the tent. The precious fans stopped as well. Shorty after someone noted to me that the power was indeed out also inside the clubhouse. The silence from the band stage was only momentary. Soon Rick Michels struck the band back up, regardless of sound systems or lighting. It was a great sign of what was to come if there ever was one. The beer was still cold. The dinner platter could still be served. The people were here and continued to enjoy the time. We found out shortly later that the outage was area wide in the community around the clubhouse. Members of the EVTG and the DSB made makeshift arrangements, bringing a generator with lights from the parking lot. Just as it was getting up and running the power came back on approximately an hour after it went down. Cheers, Juechzen, and applause could be heard in the tent. Some schedule adjusting needed to take place. Heimatabend performances were fit into the schedule later in the weekend. The remainder of the night went off without a hitch. Ehrentanz performances took place and the Enzian Musikanten, played one of its greatest sets since its inception in 2008. You can now take them home with you on CD. I hear Spotify is pending.
SATURDAY
The Jugend Dance workshop and Bauernmesse song practice took place early at 10:00am on Saturday. The Biergarten opened at 10 and the Gruppenpreisplatteln began promptly at 11:00am. The groups participating in order of appearance:
Gruppen Preisplatteln Photoshoot by Joe Wengloski
See all their prep photos at this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DqdxV4x3bqviP2rY9
- Alpenrose SV Lancaster – Lancaster, PA (WARM UP GROUP)
- Schuhplattler Geburgstrachten Verein Edelweiss – Buffalo, NY
- Enzian Volkstanzgruppe – Newark, DE
- G.T.E.V. Die Gemuetlichen Enzianer – New York
- Schuhplattler V.V. Original Enzian – New York
- S.T.V. Bavaria – Cleveland, OH
- G.T.V. Almrausch – Philadelphia, PA
- United German Hungarians of Philadelphia & Vicinity
With over 65 member clubs of the Gauverband Nordamerika these eight organizations entered the top competition. As hosts and as fellow competitors we commend them.
Our team consisted of:
- Alex Blank – Michelle McFadden
- Sasha Malofiy Jr. – Emma Walter
- Jakob Hubert – Kristen Reiter
- Werner Fricker III – Evangeline Noel
- Stevie Paul – Allysa Reiter
- Jason Noel – Mikaela Malofiy, Alternates
- Evan Wolz – Nichole Deely, Alternates
- Marlene Fricker, Head Coach
- Sasha Malofiy, Mens Coach
- Dino Jakovasic, on Accordion
Following the competition a Singstunde hosted by Joe Reiter and Karen David was held in the Biergarten. Favorite folk songs, beer drinking songs and many more were enjoyed by all.
The Bauernmesse was held under the pavilion with the light of the sun shining. It was a sight to see the flags. The people were dressed in their finest Tracht. The beautiful sharing of the mass in that atmosphere with those people and with God will be remembered for years to come. Thank you to Rev. Vincent Kumar, OSFS for celebrating this mass with us.
In the evening the Parade of Flags opened the banquet. The Gaukapelle played the music for the parade and the national anthems. So much club pride is on display during this section of any Gaufest. The many flags of the many clubs are each one unique, beautiful, and vibrant. Die Heimatklänge was the band of the evening. They played up to their usual standards. They mixed things up with many styles. Many folks were dancing the night away.
Brian Schulz and Janet Malofiy served as the masters of ceremonies for the banquet evening.
The Enzian Volkstanzgruppe prepared a special performance of the Kronentanz which opened the combined hosts dancing set. It was followed by our German Hungarians dancing the Fahnenländler. This dance has not been performed for many years. It was first written and choreographed for our Fahnenweihe in 1994. Ben & Josh Meck from the Auerhahn deserve thanks. They stepped in at the last minute. Ben learned a new dance in only a few minutes to be Morgan Schulz’s partner when Evan Wolz was not feeling well. And Josh filled in during Tyrolean, a huge help to us. We know when we need a dancer our friends from the Auerhahn will be there in an instant.
The children of the EVTG and U.G.H. then combined to perform the Woaf: Volkstanz aus dem Sudetenland or “Die Wacht.” The older dancers from each club then came together with many couples, for Tyrolean Bauerntanz. These dances were all received well and it was clear the fun everyone had. Rescheduling from Friday night, our club also put on a performance of a few folk songs. This included our favorite “Edelweisslied,” which is sometimes titled “Blume der Berge.” We also sang “Bergvagabunden,” “I love to go a Wandering,” and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Edelweiss.”
Ehrentanz performances happened later during the band breaks. An adult Massenplatter was also held on the raised stage and in the tent aisles.
When the banquet ended the Musikstube began in the Deutsche Halle. Dozens of musicians brought out instruments. Many came just to enjoy the music or to dance along with it. The hall was full and a great time it seemed to be had by all. How late did they go? We won’t tell!
SUNDAY
The Parade of flags again opened the event around 11:30am. The Picnic lunch opened at 12:00pm. There was a slowdown in the line. However, the items to eat “hit the spot” as they say.
Lisa Hartmann Fricker made buttons proclaiming “I survived 10. Gaufest – Denver, 40 Years Ago with the German Hungarians – July 6, 1985.” These were distributed to John M Blank, Lisa Fricker, Marlene Fricker, Werner Fricker Jr., Susi Hartmann, Janet Malofiy, Barbara Reiter, Joe Reiter, and John Reiter.
There was a Jugend Massenplattler held just prior to the award presentations.
The Einzel winners were announced for each age and gender group. “Evangeline Noel,” was the name we all heard called for 3rd Place in the 12-15 Girls Einzel. Congratulations again to our Evie who has previously won 3rd place in 2022 and 2nd place in 2023.
Get all the 30. Gaufest Competition Results at www.gauverband.com
Then came the announcements for the group competitions.
- 5th Place: Schuhplattler V.V. Original Enzian
- 4th Place: S.T.V. Bavaria
- 3rd Place: G.T.E.V. Die Gemuetlichen Enzianer
Gemuetlichen accepted their awards and took the floor for their honor dance. At the previous two Gaufests our club took the bronze medals (2022 & 2023). Did we move up in the ranks or did we fall down below 3rd? For some, waiting for the next announcement was excruciating.
The Gauvorplattler Rudy Leschke took the microphone and announced second place was the United German Hungarians of Philadelphia & Vicinity!
I watched from the edge of the tent. Our team lined up for a well-earned honor dance. Our friends, our family, our German Hungarians. About halfway through that dance, I looked. I saw Marlene standing to the side of the stage. She was holding the frame of medal-pins (medals designed by Kristen Reiter). Just then the light caught the silver of the medals. That silver was gleaming from that frame.
But the German Hungarians themselves, were gleaming brighter.
GTV Almrausch took the top spot and bring the Wanderpreis back to Philadelphia! A great cap for them to their 100th Anniversary! Congratulations to GTV Almrausch, Gemuetlichen Enzianer, STV Bavaria, and SVV Original Enzian.
FAREWELL FRIENDS
Our members went quickly back to our hotel and quickly changed for the farewell party. We gathered in the lobby where those silver medals were distributed to the team and the staff. Our tradition looked a little different than other Gaufest years but the important part was being together. A special note was given to Alex Blank and Werner Fricker III. They have been competing with our club for 20 years this year.
Photos from the Boots & Bling farewell party by Mark Huber.
Follow his photos on Instagram @marks.flicks
There were certainly boots. There was certainly bling. Die Schlauberger rocked the cowboy themed party in the evening. So many great costumes were seen. So many had fun. And as the evening wound down, the busses held on just a little longer to get everyone home safe. “See you in Lancaster with GTV Edelweiss, Reading in 2027” was heard quite a bit.
Was if perfect? Nothing ever is. Did we achieve that goal we set out to achieve as two clubs? Yes indeed. Our outside the box idea that originated with Alex Blank for a 30. Gaufest all in a tent is now over. For the Enzian Volkstangruppe des Delaware Saengerbund and the United German Hungarians of Philadelphia & Vicinity it was an event that pushed our limits. It was an event that brought our people together in ways they never were before. We hope it was received well by our guests and our community. We hope more Vereine of the Gauverband will go forward thinking, “We can do this!”
“Wow. What a Gau!”
I saw our men, our women, our children shining as the greatest they can be. This happened over 4 days of culture, music, dancing, and fun! Thank you to all the members of our three clubs who worked on a committee, volunteered at the event, bought tickets to attend and so much more.
Thank you to the Delaware Saengerbund, especially the support of the Board, Rudy Schock, Kevin McMullin, Teresa Vikari, Ann Marie Blaasch, Don Sturmfels, Keith Farmer, and Judy Ariganello.
We cannot thank enough, Alex Blank, Nichole Deely, Richard Grieb, Tommy Keith, Steve Paul, Allyssa Schulz-Fricker, and Klaus Vikari who made up the core of the committee.
To the Co-Chairs of this Gaufest,
Brian Schulz, Vorstand of the Enzian Volkstanzgruppe,
and Janet Fricker Malofiy, President of the United German Hungarians:
Thank you for you’re steady leadership.
I for one, will follow you anywhere you take us.
This Gaufest was faithful to traditions and the old ways. But it was our people who were faithful to one another.
Over my life I have been always proud to be a German Hungarian. I am proud to be a member of the Enzian Volkstanzgruppe. I am also proud to be a member of the Delaware Saengerbund. Over the days of the 30. Gaufest, I was honored and humbled to be one of a select group that was and is proud to be a member of all three.
Michael N. Fricker
Videos from the 30. Gaufest by Jerry Lineman have been released on Youtube!
The official channel is @Gaufest2025: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcH8wL69MbC-vhf2U979uEA
Setup photos by Ron & Judy Ariganello – https://photos.app.goo.gl/efid8GSmxxi5UewR7
Gruppen Preisplatteln Photoshoot by Joe Wengloski – https://photos.app.goo.gl/DqdxV4x3bqviP2rY9
Stephen Hargreaves from the DC, Maryland, & Virginia area, has extensive photo albums available online:
- 30 Gaufest Welcome Dance – Photos by Stephen Hargreaves
- 30 Gaufest Einzel Preisplatteln – Photos by Stephen Hargreaves
- 30 Gaufest Heimatabend – Photos by Stephen Hargreaves
- 30 Gaufest Gruppen Preisplatteln – Photos by Stephen Hargreaves
- 30 Gaufest Fest Abend – Photos by Stephen Hargreaves
- 30 Gaufest Picnic and Awards – Photos by Stephen Hargreaves
As more photography is released from our other favorite club photographers we will share them on social media and link them here at http://www.ughclub.us
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