Photo Credit: Princeton Huang, Bob Radske and Gerhard Rossbach

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Sep. 20, 2014
An Oktoberfest Strongman Competition on The Plaza

Traditional taste of Germany

Sep. 20, 2014
Oktoberfest on the Plaza

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The German-American Steuben Parade Committee of NY is proud to announce the selection of the new Miss German-America & Her Court 2015! Samantha Hart, a resident of Bethel, CT, is the new Miss German-America for 2015! Miss Hart graduated from Fairfield University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and currently works for an advertising and communications firm in Connecticut. Samantha, who is fluent in German, will ride the German-American Steuben Parade’s “Queen’s Float” on Fifth Avenue on September 19, along with her court, which includes two princesses: Catherine Hatten formerly of Columbus, OH, now living in Manhattan, NY, and Rebecca Koehler, a resident of North Bergen, NJ. Miss Hatten graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in German, and another in International Relations, from Ohio State University. She is a former Fulbright Scholar and currently works for the American Council on German as a Program Assistant. Miss Koehler is an aspiring photographer who has already won a major award for the National Youth Gathering in 2013 (1st place). All three young women speak German and are perfect representatives of the rich German-American heritage and culture of the New York tri-state area.

This year’s pageant took place in a crowning ceremony held at Reichenbach Hall in NYC on May 17. A packed house witnessed a pageant that included 3 finalists who competed for the title out of 5 highly qualified contestants. Miss German-America receives a $5,000 scholarship, while each of the two princesses will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Each contestant was interviewed by a panel of 6 judges. After the judges cast the initial vote, each contestant was introduced to the audience in a question and answer session after which each guest in attendance was given the opportunity to cast a vote for the Queen!

Besides crowning Miss German-America, a Junior General and 4 Junior Princesses were introduced: Christian Hubert is the new Junior General von Steuben, while his sister Summer Hubert, along with Kristina Petzold, Devan McCarthy and Alessia Glebke are the Parade’s Junior Princesses.

Over 100 guests were in attendance, including the Parade’s General Chairman – Robert Radske and the President of the German-American Committee of Greater NY – Michael Rabus.

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Klaus Wowereit is a German politician, member of the SPD (Social Democratic Party), and was the Governing Mayor of Berlin for 13 years from October 2001 to December 2014. He served as President of the Bundesrat (the fourth highest office in Germany) in 2001/02 and member of the Berlin House of Representatives.

Contessa Brewer is a nationally recognized Emmy award-winning television news anchor and the host of MSNBC’s primetime series “Caught on Camera.” Brewer was born in Parsonsfield, Maine, and graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism in 1996, as well as a Certificate of Contemporary Europe following her political studies in Strasbourg, France. Brewer joined MSNBC in September 2003, after working for WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a weekend anchor and general assignment reporter. For the last two years, she was co-anchor of “TODAY In NY” weekend edition for NBC’s flagship station WNBC. She has also worked for KMIR-TV in Palm Springs, California from 1997 to 1999, and KRNV-TV in Reno, Nevada. She and her husband reside in NYC, and have twin toddler sons, and a “dog”ter: a Dachshund named Olive.

John Ratzenberger is a multi-Emmy nominated actor and accomplished screenwriter, director, producer and author who may be best known for playing mail carrier Cliff Clavin on the long-running NBC sitcom “Cheers.” Prior to creating his character on Cheers, John lived overseas for 10 years and worked as a carpenter, archery instructor and deck hand on a fishing boat. He produced and starred in the Travel Channel series “Made in America” which highlighted U.S. made goods and workers. He is passionate about how important it is for this country to recognize the need for, and provide the training to produce, skilled laborers.

With “Made in America,” John established a television precedent and led the way for a new series of Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers to celebrate the work ethic that built America. He co-authored A Common Man’s Salute to an Uncommon Country published by Time Warner.

Along with work in feature films, from major studio blockbusters like Superman and Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back to independent films like the recent drama The Woodcarver, animation has been a natural home to his versatile vocal talents. Ratzenberger is the only actor to participate in every Pixar film, voicing the iconic characters of Mack the Truck and Hamm the Piggy Bank. Due to John’s volume of film work, he is listed as the 6th most successful actor of all time in terms of box office receipts.

Ratzenberger is currently in pre-production on a new Television Series with the purpose of awakening Americans to the shortage of skilled workers that threatens our country as a whole. 
It will be a show about everything highlighting America, its products, workers and citizens. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he attended St. Ann’s School in Bridgeport and Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. In 1971, he moved to London and while working as a carpenter began his career in the performing arts. John is also the developer and founder of ECOPACK, a biodegradable shipping material that replaces Styrofoam and is now used world wide.

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As we head into the Spring and Summer Festival season, the German-American Steuben Parade Committee has begun planning German-American Friendship Month activities for the 2015 Parade season! Here are but a few activities already planned around the 58th annual Parade…

– To kick off the month of September, we begin with a very special dinner-lecture sponsored in part by the Steuben Society of America. The Erik Kurtz Memorial Award will be presented to Dr. Robert A. Selig, Professor of History at Hope College in Michigan and Contributing Editor for German Life Magazine. He will receive the prestigious award during a ceremony at Plattduetsche Park in Franklin Square, NY on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2015.

– Back by popular demand, on Wednesday, September 9th, 2015, we are proud to present Yorkville/Kleindeutschland historian, Kathy Jolowicz, at the Kolping House on East 88th Street in New York City. Kathy will be presenting her Exhibit Lecture entitled “The History of Yorkville/Kleindeutschland: An Exhibit/Lecture … The Lost NYC Era of the 30’s through the 60’s”.

– One of the most popular events year after year is the “NYC German-Pub Crawl” in Manhattan. This event is always a sellout and always a fun time! Two double-decker buses visit various German Pubs in NY City! There are special Beer promotions at every stop and there are drink specials from Parade sponsor Niche Import Co! This event will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015; locations soon to be announced!

– A Guest Bartending event will take place on Monday, September 14th, 2015 at the Hofbrau Bierhaus NYC featuring past Miss German-America Bartenders during a VERY special Happy Hour! Our former Parade Queens will be back again this year to help us count down 5 days prior to the 58th annual Steuben Parade!

– The Gala Banquet, the night before the German American Steuben Parade on Friday, September 18th, 2015, is a must do! Plans are being formalized for a Gala event like none other to honor the Grand Marshals of the next day’s Parade! Details for this fun and exciting evening will be available shortly.

– The Citi Field Oktoberfest has become the traditional end of the Parade Season in NYC. Join us as we celebrate the Oktoberfest season with the NY Mets on Friday night, October 2nd, 2015. More info to come.

There are more events being planned for Friendship Month. Details will be announced as they become available! Stay tuned to our website for more information on those activities already listed and activities yet to come!

The German-American Steuben Parade Oktoberfest In Central Park

The German-American band “SPITZE” will be in town from Orlando, Florida, playing their own mix of traditional and modern German music! The band has been featured at many of the most prominent German Festivals in the USA and Germany! Their musical talents, energetic stage presence and the unmatched sound of their EXPLOSIVE horn section are what makes this seven piece band hot and in demand from coast to coast.

Back after a two year absence, the one and only Grammy nominee Alex Meixner will also be gracing the big stage along with his band! Alex has been headlining music festivals throughout the US and overseas for years! He has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, in 2014 with his band in Ireland and with his own jazz and ethnic ensembles all over the US. His music features a unique mix of jazz, classical, pop, polka and many ethnic folk music genres in a very high energy setting!

Also scheduled for this year’s Oktoberfest celebration is the 7th annual “US National Masskrugstemmen Championship” – the official US stein holding championship! This event is co-sponsored by Hofbrau Munchen, S & H Importers and the German-American Steuben Parade. Contestants representing select locations from all over the U.S. will be flown to NYC to compete for the national title and a trip for two to Munich, Germany!

When are tickets available for purchase for the Oktoberfest in Central Park?
Tickets will be available for purchase in July and sell out very quickly! Please check our website and our Facebook Pages within the next few weeks for the ticket sale date announcement!

This event is not to be missed!

On Facebook look for: “Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben”

or find us at “Friends and Fans of the German-American Steuben Parade”

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Over the past year, I have had the incredible opportunity to represent the German-American community and the German-American Steuben Parade, both here and abroad, as Miss German-America. During my reign, I participated in many events at German-American venues, including numerous events at Plattduetsche Park such as the Gottscheer Volksfest, the Long Island Bavarian Heritage Festival and the Plattduetsche Volksfest of NY and NJ.

I also had the opportunity to meet members of clubs located in New Jersey and Connecticut, such as the Deutsche Club of Clark and the Arion Singing Society. The collection of donations in exchange for cornflowers allowed me to initiate personal conversations with members of the community who shared with me their cultural journeys and information about their club affiliations. Sitting with and getting to know the German-Americans in our area, especially the children, was one of the highlights of my time as Miss German-America, Steuben Parade Queen.
In February 2015, I accepted an invitation to attend Karneval in Köln, Germany. This allowed me one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Not just witnessing, but being a part of an aspect of German culture which I had not been exposed to before, was wonderfully exciting. I truly felt like a Kölnerin on Rosenmontag.

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Die Planungen für die Reise zur STEUBEN PARADE 2016 laufen beim “Freundeskreis Deutschland Nordamerika von 1979” und der “1. Großen Meidericher Carneval Gesellschaft MCV Blau Weiß von 1979 e.V.” auf vollen Touren.

Umso mehr freuten sich jetzt die beiden Vorsitzenden der Duisburger Vereine, Harald Molder und Steffen Ranisch, über die Nachricht von ihrem Freund Lenny Coyne vom “German-American Steuben Parade Committee” in New York, dass die Wahl der diesjährigen “Miss German-America 2015” und ihres Hofstaates, nun im “Big Apple” stattgefunden hat.

“Das deutsch-amerikanische Steuben Parade Committee von New York ist stolz darauf, die Wahl der neuen Miss German – America 2015 und ihrer Hofdamen bekanntgeben zu können! Samantha Hart, aus BethMiss German – America & ihres Hofstaates el in Connecticut, ist die neue Miss German – America für das Jahr 2015!” teilt es voller Freude Lenny Coyne aus New York mit.

Sie studierte an der Fairfield University und machte im Jahr 2014 ihren Bachelor-Abschluss in „Integrated Marketing Communications“. Sie arbeitet derzeit für ein Werbe-und Kommunikations-Unternehmen in Connecticut.

Samantha, die fließend Deutsch spricht, wird am 19. September in der deutsch-amerikanischen Steuben Parade auf dem „Königinnen Wagen“ auf der Fifth Avenue mitfahren, zusammen mit ihrem Hofstaat, der aus zwei Prinzessinnen besteht, nämlich Catherine Hatten aus Columbus, Ohio, die jetzt in Manhattan lebt, und Rebecca Koehler, aus North Bergen in New Jersey.

Catherine Hatten hat ihr Studium mit einem Bachelor-Abschluss in Deutsch und einem weiteren in „International Relations“ von der Ohio State University abgeschlossen. Sie ist eine ehemalige „Fulbright“ Schülerin und arbeitet zur Zeit für für das „American Council on German“ als Programmassistentin.

Rebecca Köhler ist eine aufstrebende Fotografin, die bereits eine große Auszeichnung für das „National Youth Gathering“ im Jahr 2013 gewonnen hat. Alle drei Damen sprechen Deutsch und sind perfekte Vertreter des reichen deutsch-amerikanischen Erbes und die Kultur in der „Tri-State-Area“.

Der diesjährige Wettbewerb fand in einer Zeremonie in der „Reichenbach Hall“ in Manhattan statt, wo es am 17. Mai ein volles Haus gab. Dort erlebte man den Einzug der 3 Finalisten, die für den Titel antraten. Fünf Teilnehmer hatten sich zuvor registriert. Der Gewinner erhält ein $ 5.000 Stipendium, während jeder der beiden Prinzessinnen ein $ 2.500 Stipendium erhält.

Jede Teilnehmerin wurde von einer sechsköpfigen Jury befragt und beurteilt. Nach der Jury warf die ursprüngliche Abstimmung wurden die Teilnehmer dann dem Publikum vorgestellt, das auch eine Stimme für die Königin abgeben konnte.

Neben der neuen „Miss German-America“ wurde auch ein „Junior General“ und 4 Junior-Prinzessinnen vorgestellt: Christian Hubert ist der neue Junior General von Steuben, während seine Schwester Summer Hubert, zusammen mit Kristina Petzold, Devan McCarthy und Jalessia Glebke die „Parade Junior-Prinzessinnen“ sind.

Über 100 Gäste waren anwesend, darunter der „Parade General Chairman“ Robert Radske. Ebenfalls anwesend war der Präsident des „ German-American Committee of Greater New York“ , Michael Rabus.

Dankeschön auch an Fotograf Kevin Heckman, der die neuen Würdenträger im Bild festgehalten hat.

Ebenfalls stehen nun auch die „Grand Marshals“ der 58. Annual German American Steuben Parade fest.

Hierzu zählt der frühere regierende Bürgermeister von Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, von Oktober 2001 bis Dezember 2014 auch Präsident des Bundesrates.

Desweiteren Contessa Brewer, eine staatlich anerkannte und mit dem „Emmy“ preisgekrönte TV-Nachrichtensprecherin und die Gastgeberin der MSNBC Primetime-Serie „Caught on Camera“. Sie wurde in Parsonsfield in Maine geboren und schloss 1996 ihr Studium „magna cum laude“ an der „Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications“ mit einem BS in Rundfunkjournalismus ab, sowie einem „Certificate of Contemporary Europe“ nach ihren Studien in Straßburg.

Sie kam nach der Arbeit als Reporterin für WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in Wisconsin im September 2003 zu MSNBC.

In den letzten zwei Jahren war sie Co-Moderatorin von “Today in New York” für die NBC Flaggschiff Station WNBC.

Sie hat auch von 1997 bis 1999 für KMIR-TV in Palm Springs in Florida gearbeitet und für KRNV-TV in Reno in Nevada. Sie und ihr Mann leben in NYC, und neben einem süssen Zwillingspärchen gibt es noch Dachshund „Olive“.

Last but not least gehört John Ratzenberger zu den „Grand Marshals“ der diesjährigen Parade.

Er ist ein Multi Emmy nominierter Schauspieler und versierter Drehbuchautor, Regisseur, Produzent und Autor, den man in Amerika bestens als Postbote Cliff Clavin aus der NBC sitcom “Cheers” kennt.

Davor lebte er in Übersee und hatte 10 Jahre als Zimmermann, Bogenschütze, Lehrer und Matrose auf einem Fischerboot gearbeitet.

Er produzierte und spielte in der Travel Channel Serie „Made in America“, die in den USA hergestellte Waren und Arbeiter vorstellte. Er hat eine Leidenschaft, die zeigt, wie wichtig und notwendig es für die USA ist Facharbeiter auszubilden.

Mit „Made in America“ schaffte er einen Fernseh Präzedenzfall und bahnte den Weg für eine neue Reihe von sog. „Dirty Jobs“ wie z.B. „Ice Road Truckers“, Jobs die Amerika mit aufgebaut haben.

Neben seiner Arbeit in bekannten Spielfilmen, von großen Studio-Blockbustern wie „Superman“ oder „Star Wars: Episode V – Das Imperium schlägt zurück“, wirkte er auch an Filmen mit wie dem jüngsten Drama „The Woodcarver“ mit. Ratzenberger ist der einzige Schauspieler, der in jedem „Pixar-Film“ mit dabei war und den Charakteren wie „Mack the Truck“ oder „Hamm das Sparschwein“ seine Stimme gab.
Er gehört zu den sechs erfolgreichsten Schauspielern aller Zeiten in Bezug auf die Kasseneinnahmen seiner Filme.

Derzeit arbeitet er an der Vorproduktion einer neuen TV-Serie mit dem Ziel, die Amerikaner auf den Fachkräftemangel, der das Land bedroht, zu wecken. Es ist eine Show über alles was Amerika einzigartig macht, seine Produkte, Arbeitnehmer und Bürger.

Er hat in seinem Geburtstort in Bridgeport in Connecticut die „St. Ann’s School“ besucht und die „Sacred Heart University“ in Fairfield in Connecticut. Im Jahr 1971 zog er nach London und während der Arbeit als Zimmermann begann seine Karriere in der darstellenden Kunst. Er ist auch der Entwickler und Gründer der „ECOPACK“, einem biologisch abbaubares Verpackungsmaterial, das Styropor ersetzt und heute weltweit eingesetzt wird.
Übrigens sind für die Reise 2016 noch Plätze frei!

Interessenten, die im Jahr 2016 mit zur STEUBEN PARADE reisen möchten, können sich gerne noch bei den beiden Vereinsvorsitzenden melden.

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I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to travel to Köln for Karneval in March 2013. The trip was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I was fortunate to travel with my mother with accommodations in a little town on the outskirts of Köln, called Hürth, provided by Frau Hinz. This very welcoming woman has many connections to the German-American Steuben Parade in New York, including the Kölsche Funken group. Frau Hinz has hosted over thirty past Queens of the Steuben Parade and looks forward to it every year. Frau Hinz and her family were very hospitable and introduced me to many dignitaries around the city. On my first day in Koeln, I met the Bürgermeister of Hürth, Walter Boecker, and had a nice conversation with him about my experience as Miss German-America. That same evening, I received an invitation to a Sitzung in Köln hosted by the Rote Funken. We were invited by Peter Klober and were able to enjoy the Rote Funken Tanzgruppen, comedians and a ventriloquist act. Everyone was dressed up in many different costumes, from gamblers to 70’s costumes to chimney sweeps. It was a fantastic night to experience!

The rest of the weekend, I traveled between the small towns around Hürth and went to four parades leading up to Rosenmontag. There were so many original and creative costumes, which in my opinion, was the most interesting part of the parade. Many boxes of chocolates, candies and flowers were tossed into the crowd. Families and friends of all ages come out for the parade each year; it’s a nice community event.

The final day was the biggest of all – Rosenmontag. We woke up early to go to Köln and attend a reception in the Rathaus where I was greeted by the Oberbürgermeister, Jürgen Roters. I then met the Blau Gelb Funken and led the band in playing some songs. I was also invited to sit in their Tribune to watch the Parade. Thousands of people came out for this big day. People of all ages lined the streets dressed up in different costumes. The floats were unbelievable with so many different and creative themes. We got to see all the different Funken groups throughout the parade, which lasted for five whole hours! It was a sight to see and an experience I will never forget.

I am so fortunate to have been able to experience Karneval in Germany and I am so thankful to all the people who made it possible. I want to thank the Steuben Parade Committee for the opportunity I’ve had as Miss German-America and arranging the trip to Germany. I would also like to thank all of the people I met in Germany who were so welcoming and hospitable, especially Frau Hinz. It was a trip I will never forget and carry the wonderful memories with me for the rest of my life. I am so proud to represent my German heritage and to be able to have had this opportunity.

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