Saturday morning, October 4th, 2003 saw us boarding our bus for Ingolstadt. Our Schuhplattler team members were looking forward to participate in the Second Annual Bavarian Ministerpräsident’s “Bayerische Löwen” Prize Schuhplattler Competition. The honored prize is a ceramic Bavarian Lion from the Bavarian Ministerpräsident, Dr. Edmund Stoiber. This prize was presented for the first time in 2002, and the competition attracted the best Schuhplattlers from all Bavaria.
The German Gauverbände are united under the “Bayerische Trachtenverband” and the first- and second-place teams from each Gauverband were invited to participate, as well as the top three finishers in each age group of Einzelplattlers. Seven Gauverbände took part in the first competition, and it was decided to make it an annual event.
Landesvorsitzender of the Bayerische Trachtenverband, Otto Duffer, and Isar Gau Vorplattler, Erhard Hauptenbrechner, who had attended a few of the North American Gaufests, were influential in extending the invitation to the Gauverband Nordamerika’s recent first- and second-place teams. The Ingolstadt competition took place at the Gasthaus am Auwaldsee, a huge complex with many rooms which were used for the competitions—the Einzel (single) Plattler, the Jugend (youth) Gruppe, and the Adult Groups.
The competition was hosted by the Donau Gau, and the other Gauverbände who participated are: the Isar Gau, the Lech Gau, the Huosi Gau, the Altbayerische-Schwäb Gau, the Oberländer Gau, the Rhein-Main Gau, the Loisach Gau, the Allgäuer Gau, the Inn Gau, the Gau München und Umgebung, and the Oberpfälzer Gau.
The Einzel Plattlers competed first, then the Youth, and finally the Adults. Lot numbers were picked at the registration table when a group checked in. The groups were excellent dancers, and the American groups fit right in. It was quite noisy during the performances, as everyone went right on with having a good time. When both the Bayern Verein Newark and the United German Hungarians were announced, the loudest applause was heard. I have noticed in the past that the Schuhplattler groups are more than generous with their show of appreciation of all dancers and graciously show it by their applause. This was such a time!
The Bayern Verein was the second group to perform, while we were the ninth. Twelve groups participated in the Adult Group competition.
At this time, a few speeches were given, and among them the American Consul in Munich, Michael Greer, who spoke both in German and English. Among the Gauverband Nordamerika officials were: Walter Kraft, Tom Vogt, Mark LaCourse, Lloyd Wevang, Paul Ulrich, and Carolyn Marquardt. Walter Kraft, our Gau Secretary, and Carolyn Marquardt, a Gau Beisitzerin, served as judges for the Adult Group Preisplattler.
After a while, the winners were announced. Here is how it was done. All participants went to the dance area, and each name, beginning with the last place, was called. You cannot imagine the happiness on the faces of those who won the first three prizes. Of course, many others were also very satisfied. I had spoken with a woman sitting next to me who placed ninth out of twenty-five dancers. She was very happy. Score sheets and a certificate of participation were given to all.
The group plattlers were represented by their Vorplattler, and John Reiter represented the German Hungarians. They began with the 12th place and proceeded to seven, six (we were surprised and happy that we were still in the standings), five—The United German Hungarians of Oakford, Pennsylvania, four—The Bayern Verein, Newark, New Jersey. Both clubs were elated and once again received the loudest applause of all the winners! Third prize was won by Alpenrösi of Allach (Isar Gau); second prize was won by Alpenrose of Peiting (Lech Gau); and First Prize by Falkenstoaner Stamm of Munich (Isar Gau).
There was still time for eating, drinking, and merrymaking as we spoke to many new friends. We enjoyed some time with our group’s relatives and friends who had come and had anticipated with us. We thank them all for supporting us. Many photos were taken at this time, and soon it was time for us to return to Greding.
Tomorrow was to be the fun day for us, as we planned to visit the famed Oktoberfest.
If you enjoy a German festival, you may think that you can imagine the famed Oktoberfest, but believe me, you cannot. It is an enormous amusement park with rides, vendors, games, drink- and food-concessions, and various large tents sponsored by various beer companies, etc. The tents are permanent, and we had reservations at the Hippodrom. Most of us remained there throughout our visit since it was a damp, chilly, and rainy day. We had a reserved spot in an alcove on the balcony of the top floor. The Bayern Verein Newark were also with us. The room was open in the center, although the first floor was full of picnic-style tables and benches. There was no dance floor. Most people were dressed in casual clothing—wearing jeans, shirts, jackets, and hats—many with Oktoberfest symbols. The food and drinks were delicious, and the steins were humongous and, after drinking one, I’m sure one felt no pain. I, of course, drank diet coke, or as the Germans call it, “cola lite,” also in the same large stein. The band was just marvelous and played every German waltz, polka, or hit we had ever heard. Of course, they also played the latest American hits and many standards. What amazed me was that the attendees, most of which I would guess were Germans, whether teens or seniors, sang along in the English language. Everyone was having a wonderful time, and it was really infectious. If you would see our photos of the event, you would understand.
The day ended all too soon, and we had arranged to party with Bayern Newark at the Hotel Am Markt in Greding. A lot of traffic on the way back caused us to be a little late, but we soon all gathered at the hotel, and a delicious hot dinner buffet was waiting for us. Our own Heimatklänge members, Bill Galgon, Maria Antoniak, John Reiter, and Joe Hartmann, had brought along their instruments and played for our enjoyment. A perfect ending to a perfect day!
On Monday morning, we said our farewells, as about half of us were continuing on to Austria, while the others were traveling on their own visiting relatives or friends. Those of us who remained together traveled south towards Salzburg. With beautiful scenery and lots of good cheer on the bus, we arrived at our destination—the Lasserhof Hotel in Salzburg. A quick check-in, and we headed for the inner city and the Festung. A beautiful area with a famed cathedral, the Mirabell Gardens, the Festung Hohensalzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, and the many shops. It is a beautiful city that everyone should visit!
Since our hotel could not accommodate us all for dinner, we arranged a private dinner at the Stieglbräu Hotel, which was within walking distance of our hotel. Maria Antoniak’s brother, Robert, who lives in northern Germany, was able to join us for our visit in Salzburg. We had a lot of fun with him since he spoke to us in German, Maria spoke to us in English, and they spoke to each other in Polish.
We had a little time in the morning for a last look at Salzburg, and then we were on our way back to Germany. An exciting visit to Kehlstein (especially for me, as I am terrified of heights) was one of the highpoints of the trip. Shopping in Berchtesgaden, a coffee and cake at a local Konditorei, and on to the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Prien ended the day. A leisurely dinner and the fun and friendship of our last evening in Germany were to be savored.
We awoke early for our bus trip to the Munich Airport. A few were remaining for three more days and were to meet up with others from our original party. Airport security was tight, and we had to open our bags over and over again. We were searched and researched, shoes came off, jewelry came off, but better safe than sorry. The plane left shortly after noon, and before we knew it, we were landing at Philadelphia Airport.
It had been a wonderful trip! As always, you got to know someone a little better than you knew them previously. As wonderful as the trip was, as I drove into my driveway in Horsham, I was so glad to be back home in the USA.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: this piece was written and originally published in sections in Monthly Progress, Volume 59, No. 1 and No. 2 – January and February 2004. It has been re-published here in 2026 with minor edits.
