You don’t have to be German to enjoy the Gemutlichkeit — the friendly, zesty spirit — of the 2014 Oktoberfest German residents’ parade at Spanish Springs. So, whether your heritage is Irish or Italian, Brazilian, African-American or Welsh — come out on Tuesday afternoon for some brats and sauerkraut, pretzels and beer. Come hear the um- pah music of The Swinging Bavarians and see all the marching frauleins and herrs.
The parade steps off at 3:30 p.m.
Parade organizer, Village of Hemingway resident Kirk Freundt, who doubles as president of The Villages Deutscher Club, says more than 750 people will be in the parade, plus more than 150 specially decorated golf carts. Forty organizations will be represented — too numerous to mention — and that does not include the many district staffers and volunteers who help with traffic and parade logistics.
All the German Stadts (States) will be represented by colorful flags and hundreds of marchers will show off their lacy ethnic dresses, lederhosen (leather britches) and Alpine-style hats.
“Brownwood’s World of Beer will dispense samples of their brews …and this year, we will have something extra we are very proud of,” Freundt shared . “We will be celebrating Germany’s 2014 World Cup soccer victory. ” There we be marchers from four area German clubs — The Villages Deutscher Club and German-American Club, plus members of German groups from Marion count y and West Central Florida as well. The Villages High School Buffalo Band will march, and if you haven’t seen them lately — they have 55 members and are better than ever.”
The clowns, the twirlers and, the cheerleaders will be there — veterans ‘ groups , law enforcement officers, hula dancers — the long list goes on. To commemorate the schlachfest (butcher roast), a priest will march to bless the pig.
The parade is put on by the Resident Parade Committee.
