Written By: Sonia Juran Kulesza

After a very successful 2016 Parade Season, the members of the Operating Committee took a well-deserved break to enjoy the year-end holidays. But soon enough our General Chairman, Bob Radske, knew it was time to invite the Operating Committee to gather together and get to work (its not really work because we all LOVE what we do!). So, on Saturday, March 11th, the troops attended a full day planning session at the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square, NY. Over breakfast and lunch we discussed, we laughed, we brainstormed, we recapped, we celebrated, we planned and planned some more.

At the top of our minds was the goal of delivering a Parade worthy of the 60th Anniversary of the Steuben Parade. It certainly is an exciting milestone for the German-American community. As always, we credit our very generous sponsors and supporters for allowing the Steuben Parade to grow and improve each year.

For the second year, the Parade was available to be viewed via a “Live Stream” anywhere in the world via an internet connection. Viewers from Germany, Austria and Canada tuned in as did viewers throughout the USA. The “Live Stream” is a convenient, economical way for the Parade Committee to share the Parade in real time, and for months after, by sharing the link using various social media platforms including the Parade website.

The Season will kick off with our first event, the Crowning of Miss German-America and her Court on Sunday, May 21st and continue with various events throughout the summer into Friendship Month in September, the highlight of which is the 60th German-American Steuben Parade on Saturday, Sept. 16th on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

The Planning Meeting came to a close with a few complimentary words from the President of the German-American Committee of Greater NY, Mike Rabus, when he said ‘it took a year or two, but this is the most cohesive committee ever that no doubt will deliver the best Parade ever’. Thanks Mike!

P.S. Call for Volunteers – interested in joining the Parade Committee ???

Monthly Parade meetings take place at the Liederkranz on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm. Our next meeting will be held on March 21st, 2017. To learn more about the Committee please visit our website. If you are interested in a volunteer position, please email Chairman@GermanParadeNYC.org with the Committee of interest. We look forward to hearing from you.

– Gala Committee

– Advertising/Graphics/Journal

– Public Relations

– Float Committee

– Friendship Month Events

– Oktoberfest Committee

– Website Committee

– Souvenir Committee