"We never went to it before, but we saw it advertised and read about the [Little Miss Schuetzen Park] pageant," Kennedy said. "I thought it would be a good thing for my daughter [Peyton, who is 9]. But I really had no idea what the whole event was about."
The Plattduetsche Volksfest Vereen of New York and New Jersey (PVV) was established in 1875. During that time, the organization has helped to make Schuetzen Park in North Bergen a gathering point for German-American culture in the metropolitan area.
While most German-American clubs hold their celebrations later in the year - ergo the extremely popular "Oktoberfest" - the PVV decides to get a head start on the festive times, holding their local volksfest in August.
"Whenever I talk to people who are outside of the German heritage, they say that they didn't know it was here and that it was during August," said Dieter Feister, a vice-president of the PVV and a co-chairman of the annual Volksvest. "Oktoberfests have grabbed hold of America, since its popularity in Europe. In Germany, Oktoberfest gets 900,000 people to attend. But we hold ours in August. It seems to work well."
Kathryn Brinkrode has helped to run the fest and the Little Miss Schuetzen Park pageant for the last 10 years.
"Recently, we've tried to appeal not only to experienced invitees, but to newcomers as well," Brinkrode said.
So for two days, Schuetzen Park and the general vicinity gets transformed into a carnival atmosphere, with music, dancing, and song.
Oh, there's also eating and drinking as well.
"The people come together to drink some beer, eat some food and be happy," Feister said. "That's not a bad thing."
Historical perspective
The Volksvest obviously enhances the German heritage and culture to those who already have it in their background, but it also introduces that heritage to those who didn't necessarily know about it.
"Our motto is that no matter the background, we just want the people who come to have a good time," Brinkrode said. "It's a chance to enjoy the German heritage, but we want others to enjoy it with us. We really do get a mixed group."
One of the major goals is to introduce the festival to a younger audience, like Kennedy and her family. Sure, there are the old-timers that have been coming to the Volksvest for decades.
"That is always a growing challenge for the PVV," Brinkrode said. "We're always introducing different interests to draw the new generation."
Feister said that non-Germans enjoy the event, much like Germans enjoy other cultural events.
"When the Irish have festivals, I'm right there," Feister said. "I eat corned beef as much as the next guy. I think American people of all backgrounds and heritages know how to have a good time."
Kennedy went right for the food.
"I had some potato pancakes, which were delicious," Kennedy said. "I met some other people and they were all so nice. I really had no idea that they had such an event there. It was very interesting."
Thepageant
And of course, Peyton entered the pageant for young girls, ages seven through 12. It really wasn't a beauty pageant, so to speak, but a way for girls to express their pride of their German heritage by writing an essay on a famous German-American.
Peyton Kennedy, who has a keen interest in Broadway music, selected composer Oscar Hammerstein.
"It really gave her a chance to learn about history as well," Lori Kennedy said. "It was a history lesson."
"When I first heard about it, I thought it was going to be a beauty pageant and I got a little nervous," said Peyton Kennedy, who will begin fourth grade classes at Weehawken's Roosevelt School this week. "I didn't know what to expect. But once it started, the nervousness went away and it was fun."
Peyton was selected as one of the top seven finalists, earning the title of court member to Annunziata Paolano, who was named Little Miss Schuetzen Park.
"I really enjoyed it and I am already looking forward to it next year," Peyton Kennedy said.
An added bonus to being selected among the top seven was the chance to ride on a float at the German-American Day parade in New York on Sept. 15. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is the grand marshal of the parade and former West German chancellor Helmut Kohl is one of the invited guests.
"That's going to be very exciting," Peyton Kennedy said. "I really wasn't expecting anything."
"I am so proud of these young ladies," Brinkrode said. "They never cease to amaze me. Each of their essays was well-written, and they all conduct themselves as young ladies should. The only thing we try to promote is togetherness and friendship."
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at either OGSMAR@aol.com or jhague@hudsonreporter.com
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