Fall is definitely in the air even before any leaves have tumbled down on our lawns, and another sign that’s summer has made her final bow is the Von Steuben German Fest is back and will be held on Saturday, September 18th, from noon-6 p.m. at the Fireman’s Field in Yulan-and praise the Lord for another glimpse of normalcy in our lives.

After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the 29th German Fest, one of the Towns premier family friendly events, is still going strong. The festival has wonderful local craft vendors, assorted beers and beverages including the award-winning craft beers and ciders from Eldred’s own Shrewd Fox Brewery.

I spoke with Brew Master Bill Lenczuk and his wife Cindy, the Director of Operations for the Brewery and owners of Shrewd Fox who said they will be featuring their signature Yulan Honey Wheat beer, Highland Larger and Edinburgh Cider at the German Fest.

Always a big draw are reasonably priced food options from our favorite local restaurants, such as The Yulan Country Store and Bakery and according to Konrad Kovacs, the Chef/Owner along with his wife Judit said he will be making his delicious sauerbraten and bringing cookies, cupcakes, and other baked goods and just maybe my favorite German Chocolate Cake.

The members of the Yulan Fire Department-the sponsors of the Von Steuben German Fest will be firing up the grills for hamburgers, hotdogs and other grilled specialties-including homemade bratwurst with sauerkraut done to perfection. With weather protected seating for over 1,000 diners it couldn’t be a more welcoming event.

Anything that gets kids outdoors and away from technology screens is a good thing in my book. As is the tradition during German Fest, there will be plenty of entertainment for the kiddos to do including a bouncy castle house and a hands-on conservation craft projects for the kids to assemble.

The last time the Fest was held it was a wooden bat house and thankfully members of the Fire Department were on hand to help with the building process. This year Boy Scout Troop 106 of Glen Spey and Highland have taken over this project and will be overseeing building the environmental craft project, an Audubon wren house, using wood donated by the Estemerwalt Log Homes Company in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania.

The Von Steuben German Fest always features the hotly contested horseshoe tournament with double elimination at $10.00 per person and singles will be paired. There are three cash prizes, 1st prize is $125.00, 2nd prize is $75.00 and 3rd and 4th $50.00 each. Registration starts at 1:00p.m. and the tournament begins at 2:00p.m. For more information about the horseshoe tournament call (845) 807-3013.

The live music and entertainment will be from The Mountain Express Band, a well-known Octoberfest entertainment group from Pennsylvania whose repertoire is perfect for the festival goers and features a variety of music from Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Latin, and American style rock. In addition, the classic German Shuplatter Folk Dancers will perform their traditional dances. Shuplatter is the style of dance popular in the regions of Bavaria and Tyrol and the dances stomp, clap and strike the soles of their shoes when they perform.

The band and the dancers usually decked out in lederhosen and very beautiful costumes will enjoy the exceptionally large pavilion with lots of room to dance and plenty of seating-so our usual contrary weather isn’t an obstacle to kicking up your heels and enjoying great food and a variety of international, crafted, and domestic beers.

I spoke with Jeff Haas, the President of the Yulan Fire Department about Covid concerns, and he told me that since it has always been an outdoor event the transmission rate is very low, and the Fireman’s Field in Yulan is an enormous space with over six acres to spread out in and every effort is being made to follow the Center for Disease Control guidelines and food take out is available.

A great opportunity to get outside and have some fun and benefit the important work of the Yulan Fire Department and there is literally something fun for everyone in the family at German Fest. Family admission is $5.00 and there is plenty of free parking onsite.

For more information call Dave at (516) 885-1021 or Jeff at (845) 557-8431 or go to Facebook.com/yulanfd.