German and American families explore U.S. Army and Bundeswehr tanks at the German American Volksfest at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
German and American families explore U.S. Army and Bundeswehr tanks at the German American Volksfest at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
One of the rides at the German American Volksfest at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. soldiers work one of the grills at the German American Volksfest in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Festival-goers dance to country music at the German American Volksfest in Grafenweohr, Germany, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. ( Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
A Schweinshaxe at the German American Volksfest in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
Deep fried Oreo cookies at the German American Volksfest, in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes)
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – More than 100,000 mostly German civilians are expected to enter U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria to drink German beer, go on rides and eat American food at the annual German American Volksfest this weekend.
The U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Volksfest is the largest of its kind and blends Bavarian brass music and classic German festival foods like bratwurst and gingerbread with American favorites like hot dogs and deep fried cookies.
The event is the Army’s way of saying thank you to citizens in the surrounding area, an Army spokesman told Stars and Stripes this week.
The fest kicked off Friday with a lederhosen and dirndl contest, with Germans and Americans showing off their best traditional German clothes.
Other events this weekend will include karaoke and country music performances.
egnash.martin@stripes.com Twitter: @Marty_Stripes
