Tuesday, July 15, 2015
A Herald Times special tribute
Section C
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Alpenfest ‘IT’S GOLDEN’
HAPPY 50TH ALPENFEST
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C-2 • Tuesday, July 15, 2014
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Alpenfest
Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
HERALD TIMES EDITOR JEREMY SPEER REFLECTS
Memories on my 10th Alpenfest anniversary
A
Robert Welch, president of Alpena Aviation Services and Welch Aviation, hands Alpenfest Queen Connie Wolf the first copy of the Detroit News, marking the beginning of airfreight service to Gaylord and regular delivery of newspapers to Northern Michigan.
Isabelle Speer, 3, celebrates during the 2013 Alpenfest.
lthough not as significant, I am also celebrating an Alpenfest anniversary this year. This will be my 10th Alpenfest, meaning I’ll now have caught 20 percent of the 50 Gaylord summer celebrations. Nice, round numbers make math possible for even a journalist. What nice round numbers also make is for remembrance, which is what this publication is all about. In many ways, Alpenfest helped shape Gaylord — giving it an identity, one that both galvanized locals and attracted guests. One of the neat things about this festival is its timeless qualities — most things never change, in a good way. Many of the games and events are the same as they’ve been for years, and it remains the central meeting place for friends and families in the Gaylord summer. I love looking through all of the historic photos — that is why this Alpenfest 50th project is so fun. People still dress up in their lederhosen, dirndls and blumenkranz, just as they did in 1964 when small town leaders came up with a unique idea to help put Gaylord on the map. Anyone who has been through a few Alpenfests has a few favorite events and/or memories, and I’ll share mine heading into my 10th festival: • Meeting friends on the ‘Strasse as I was introduced to my first Alpenfest. I was immediately impressed with the community spirit and how it looked like folks in every age group were having fun. • Running in the Alpenfest 5K and 10K. I have done both of these races with friends. After fininshing the long, hot 10K run, I enjoyed watching the Alpenfest parade from the Sugar Bowl. • Catching the Burning of the Boogg with my buddy, Chris. Alpenfest is a festival of traditions. One of my favorites is the “Boogg,” which always takes place at dusk on the first day of Alpenfest, which happens to be today. Of the newer events, my favorite is the stone throw. I had a blast taking photos during the first ever stone throw a few years ago.
• Buying Isabelle her first blumenkranz while proudly strolling her down the Alpenstrasse. As you get older, Alpenfest becomes family entertainment. We live about eight blocks from the festival and enjoy walking to it each evening. • Running the stilt walking contest. I’m a big fan of volunteering and jumped at the opportunity to have fun while running a contest (I found it easier than actually trying to compete!) Please consider volunteering at a festival that is fueled by the hard work of many. You can find me again at the Otsego County Building lawn at noon Thursday, July 17, for some stilt walking fun. • Grabbing lunch at Ethnic Alley (sesame chicken!) while watching the Young Americans with my family and/or co-workers. I’ve taken in a diverse amount of night entertainment over the years. My wife and 4-yearold daughter love the queen’s pageant so much that Isabelle dressed up as a “future Alpenfest queen” for Halloween one year. • Watching the faces of children (my own included) while having a ball with the Alpenfest rides. This is a meeting place for friends who haven’t seen one another since school got out. • Introducing der Buergermeister Maureen Derenzy last year and driving her in the Alpenfest parade. The Herald Times, myself included, is very proud of the Buergermeister award and I was thrilled to introduce Maureen at the beginning of last year’s festival. It was even more fun to pick up a white convertible from Gus at Feeny Motors and cruise the parade route with Maureen. Everyone who has attended the festival has their own Alpenfest memories and the following pages are packed with memories from some of the festival’s early organizers alongside photos of the festival through the decade. We look forward to creating and capturing more Alpenfest moments this week on the ‘Strasse. — Jeremy Speer is the editor of the Gaylord Herald Times. He can be reached for comment at editor@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
Alpenfest
Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • C-3
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Marlene Everett remembers the early festivals
Photo courtesy of Otsego County Historical Society
Gordon Everett at the dedication of the Otsego County Historical Museum in 1992.
50 years of Alpenfest makes me pause and remember about all the great things that a group of dedicated volunteers organized. Just imagine how many changes have taken place in the last 50 years. I have watched it all happen, having moved here in 1960. I love the week of Alpenfest — from the Walking Parade to the Coffee Break to the Alpenfest Parade on Saturday. The many free activities on the Alpenstrasse and programs on the stage downtown are also highlights. We should all be proud to call Gaylord home — we have a real dedicated community. Marlene Everett, one of Alpenfest’s early organizers, along with her husband, Gordon.
Dar Mongeau: ’Jim was totally committed to Alpenfest and Gaylord’
My memories of Alpenfest are of Harold Elgas asking Jim (Mongeau) to co-chair Alpenfest for a year. Twenty-three years later, he was still Alpenfest’s general chairman. Jim was totally committed to Alpenfest and Gaylord, always thinking of new ways and ideas for making Alpenfest better and more fun for families. He loved getting new people and groups involved. He helped build the first float, the original booths and, with friends, for 10 years, he built the Boogg. In 1992 after months in the hospital, he ran Alpenfest from a golf cart. That was Jim’s love and gift to Gaylord and Alpenfest. I still see him “striding down the ‘Strasse.” Dar Mongeau, wife of the late Jim Mongeau, who was longtime Alpenfest executive director Photo courtesy of the Otsego County Historical Society
Jim Mongeau (left) and Bill Granlund (right) fixing soup during Alpenfest.
The Budweiser Clydesdales have appeared in the Alpenfest parade
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Bill Wishart thanks the crowd for being chosen parade marshal at the 2000 honors banquet.
Bill Wishart:
‘When Harold Elgas convinced Jim Mongeau to become executive director of Alpenfest, it was a key moment’
Go!! Contestants dive into their work during the 1969 Alpenfest pie-eating contest.
I remember seeing the huge number of people in costumes, walking to the Coffee Break. During the early years, stores didn’t open until after the parade. The whole idea from the forefathers was for the residents of Gaylord and Otsego County to have family fun and to have their friends and relatives come to Gaylord and celebrate with us. The excitement in Gaylord when the U.S. Plywood Plant was dedicated was memorable. Gov. George Romney was in attendance and he planted a huge pine tree at the entrance to the plant. I remember during the first year there was talk about “the first annual Alpine Festival” and I thought we had a lot to do if we were going to have a second annual Alpine Festival. The third Alpenfest had a shortfall in funding and a group of businesspeople in the community wrote checks to cover the cost of Alpenfest that year. When Harold Elgas convinced Jim Mongeau to become executive director of Alpenfest, it was a key moment. He just loved this community and wanted to do something. That’s when it really took off — he had great ideas and a great vision and really got people involved. He didn’t have any financial gain to be made and he wasn’t compensated in the first few years. Jim Grisso, publisher of the Herald Times, had the idea for the Buergermeister, which made someone the mayor for the week. The first was Jim Mongeau. If you look at the list of Buergemeisters, it’s pretty impressive. They are the people who have really made our town hum. Bill Wishart, early organizer of Alpenfest
Blowing of the Alphorn
The Scottville Clown Band is always a hit.
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
Alpenfest
Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • C-5
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Photo courtesy of Otsego County Historical Society
Harold Elgas (right) represented Old Kent Bank during a past Alpenfest parade.
A Daughter of Gaylord (and Harold and Norma Elgas):
‘It seems like just yesterday’ “Everyone must leave something behind when he dies ... A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way… so when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you’re there. It doesn’t matter what you do…so long as you change
something from the way it was before you touched it…” - Ray Bradbury
Fifty years ago? Seems like just yesterday. Seems like a lifetime has passed. Fifty years ago I was a 5-year-old girl growing up in Gaylord, one of five daughters of Harold and Norma Elgas. Fifty years ago I was there for the
Both dog and boy were stylish at the 1975 Alpenfest.
first Alpenfest in the summer of 1964. I remember walking among what I was sure was hundreds of townsfolk in my new Alpine dress with flowers and ribbons in my hair. All the men were dressed in lederhosen. It was our town’s first ever “walking parade” and I remember it being a huge success! But just five years ear-
lier when my mother and father moved to Gaylord with their growing young family, it was probably hard for anyone to envision such a day. As my Dad later told me, in 1959 much of the downtown was boarded up with closed businesses and marked by “For Rent” signs. As the new president of the Gaylord Bank
(now the Fifth Third Bank), my Dad was determined to boost his new home and work with fellow citizens to create a vision for what Gaylord could and should be. And so for the rest of his life, until he died in 1998, Dad, with Mom always in support, committed himself to making this vision for
See In the beginning, C6
Schlang’s Bavarian Band toured the city of Gaylord during the 1975 Alpenfest, bringing a little music to those they encountered.
Carnival rides were still popular back during the mid 1970s as these riders show.
Tom Johnson dishes up a delicious ice cream cone at the ice cream social at the 1975 Alpenfest.
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C-6 • Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Alpenfest
Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
In the beginning it was known as the ‘Alpine Festival’ Cont’d
revitalization and growth a reality. So imagine this. Soon after he arrives in Gaylord, Dad and other business and civic leaders form the Gaylord Industrial Corporation, a group to brainstorm ideas to boost Gaylord’s economy. I remember him attending countless meetings downtown. Most days he left the house before I woke up and didn’t come home until late at night. I remember a trip he took to Pontresina, Switzerland to take pictures of Swiss architecture and consult with Swiss businessmen. Then the idea for Alpenfest (or as it was first known the “Alpine Festival”) was born. The thinking was this: one way to boost the town’s economy and fill the empty storefronts was to attract more people to the town. What better way to do that then to create a summer festival? Soon storeowners unanimously agreed to spend their own money to redo their storefronts into an Alpine motif. And if they needed a little extra cash for their renovations, they went to see “Pinky in the Ivory tower”. (Dad really didn’t like to be called Pinky, a nickname he picked up because of his red hair, but he knew everyone called him by that moniker.) The Ivory Tower was and still is, of course, the bank’s headquarters. 1964. The vision became real and the first Alpine Festival came off without a hitch and was a huge success! See ‘Alpine Festival’, C7
Don Crandall stirred the pot of sauerkraut for attendees of the 1974 Alpenfest. More than 1,000 people were served.
This cymbal player forthe Scotville Clown Band took his job as a metal percussionist seriously when he dressed as the Man of Steel.
This young lady gets competitive for the bubble blowing contest at the 1974 Alpenfest.
Reed Doyle took time out out from the 1975 Alpenfest celebration to enjoy a cold drink.
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • C-7
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
‘Alpine Festival’ first big step in Gaylord’s transformation Cont’d
At least in the memory of a then-5-year-old girl, all proud of her new Alpine themed dress as she strolled down Main Street on a bright July day 50 summers ago. The music and the “ooompa, ooompa” of the brass band and the smell of the hot coffee and the excitement of the downtown all filled up with so many folks. That festival was really the first big step in the amazing transformation of Gaylord from a sleepy small town into the destination resort and prosperous community it is today. So imagine this. It was the early 1960’s. Rumors started to float around the area that the U.S. Plywood Corporation was planning to build a brand new huge factory to produce particle board, a new wood product sure to revolutionize construction. They needed a location with plenty of forests and a dedicated and skilled workforce. But Dad and others heard the company is not considering Gaylord for the plant because they are concerned there just isn’t a large enough labor pool in that part of the United States. Their plan was to build in Virginia. But Harold won’t take “no” for an answer and the plant came to Gaylord. I remember being at the festive opening of the U.S. Plywood plant. They cut a big white ribbon on opening day. I remember See ‘Mom and dad, C8
Alpenfest Queen Jean Marie Snook gives a kiss to Robert Doyle after she was crowned at the 1974 ceremony.
The idea which grew into Alpenfest began with a suggestion by Robert Schlang (l), owner of Schlangs’ Bavarian Inn. Also picture in this photo are Sepp Natter of Austria with his accordian, Mrs. Robert Schlang and Leo Schlang.
Mayor Kenneth Campbell presents Fred Fahrni of Zurich, Switzerland, with the key to the city. Fahrni developed the Novoply manufacturing process used by U.S. Plywood in Gaylord in 1965.
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Alpenfest
Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
‘Mom and Dad traveled throughout Northern Michigan to tell ‘The Gaylord Story’ Cont’d
Michigan Gov. George Romney crowns Connie Wolf Alpine (Alpenfest) Queen for 1965.
Brewing some Swiss coffee for the city of Gaylord in 1969.
thinking this was a very good thing for our town. I saw many other white ribbon cutting ceremonies in my years of growing up in Gaylord. I remember the silver shovels always used on those groundbreaking days: at the newly renovated bank with its soaring tower, at the United Methodist church, at Otsego Memorial Hospital. Gaylord’s success wasn’t lost on neighboring towns. Mom and Dad traveled throughout Northern Michigan to tell “The Gaylord Story”. The shared hope was to improve economic growth in Gaylord and Northern Michigan as a whole. I went on some of those family road trips and remember sitting in the back of meeting rooms and watching the slideshow which told the tale of our town transformed. Mom and Dad were always a team like that. They discussed things at home and she helped him with ideas and provided him with support. She was a tireless volunteer at the hospital and church. Oh, and she raised five little girls in her spare time too! I left Gaylord but Gaylord has never really left me. When I attended the University of Michigan and later moved to New York City, I was sometimes teased for being such a “country hick” from a small town. I remember singing in a band in the Big Apple as a young woman and my band mates would introduce me as “Laurie Elgas from the Gold Coast of Northern Michigan!” It bothered me until I realized that millions of people grow up in cramped cities, but very few get the privilege and experience of growing up in a wonderful small town like Gaylord. I feel blessed to come from a place that in my heart is still my home and always will be. There’s a lot more I could write about those early Gaylord years. I miss my folks and their story brings back great memories, sadness too, that they’re both not with you all to celebrate. I do know one thing for sure: They’d be so very happy to know that 50 years later Alpenfest and Gaylord are still going strong! So thanks to all of you for keeping the heart and spirit of Gaylord alive all these years so people like me can come back and enjoy it and remember fondly good times. It is comforting for me and my sisters to know that you remember our parents. It eases some of the feeling of loss to know that Norma and Harold’s beloved town hasn’t forgotten them, that their legacy is intact. As Dad, “Harold”, always said, “Leave a job better than you found it.” I’d say he did a pretty good job of living out that philosophy. Happy 50th Anniversary Gaylord Alpenfest! Laurie (Elgas) Young, daughter of early Alpenfest organizer Harold Elgas.
The traditional Schlang’s Bavarian Tent kept people singing and dancing to old-time music. This photo was taken in 1969.
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • C-9
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Alpenfest: A 50-year success story From a commemorative section of the Gaylord Herald Times celebrating Alpenfest’s 25 year anniversary in 1989. Alpenfest today is one of the state’s premium festivals, but 25 years ago, it was a fledgling, small-town event faced with looming threats of financial insolvency. A committee of about a dozen area people organized the first Alpine Festival, as it was called in 1965. One of those people, Jerry Fox, recalled the early morning roundtable discussions in which that festival was planned. “The object at that time was to have a festival for the local people — for the city of Gaylord,” Fox said. “I don’t think it was ever meant to be a commercial thing.” At numerous 6 a.m. coffee meetings, the details were worked out. Some of the ideas succeeded, some failed. “We had a lot of ups and downs,” Fox conceded. “Probably the biggest problem we had was raising funds. I can remember digging in our pockets at the end (of the festival) for $400-$500 apiece to make ends meet.” Fellow organizer Tag Tripp, who was chairman of the second festival effort, said the group operated on a thread-bare budget. “We got all the free acts we could get,” Tripp said. What made the festival a success, according to Fox, was the efforts of all the volunteers. “Everyone worked hard but everyone worked to-
The 1989 Alpenfest Queens candidates
See ‘We didn’t, C10
Girls arm wrestling in 1977. This Cub Scott troop float won the junior division in the parade in 1965. Pictured here on the float are Brad Kilbourn, Steve Olds, Scoutmaster A.S. “Bud” Gottlieb, Jeff Dickman, Raymond Mankowski, Mike Wakefield, Bob Battani and Don Fuson.
Herr Gessler hides his face from a Herald Times photographer after landing at the airport for the 1969 Alpenfest.
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Pomp and circumstance at the 1987 Alpenfest parade
‘We didn’t know what it would become’ Cont’d
gether,” Fox remembered. “It was easy because we worked together. “I don’t think it was ever hard because we had so much fun doing it.” Bob Fritz, the first Alpine Festival chairman, said the seminal influence for the entire Alpine theme, including the festival, was the Alpine architectural movie employed in the construction of The Otsego Ski Club/ Hidden Valley facilities. Fritz said he and Harold Elgas, then president of the old Gaylord State Bank, and Donald Smith, manager of Vaughn’s Dept. Store, were sold on the idea of marketing Gaylord based on an Alpine theme and decided an Alpine Festival would be a good way to do it. “We didn’t know what it would become,” Fritz said. “We played it by ear.” From the beginning, he said, the success of the festival depended on local cooperation. “Everybody worked together,” he said. Many of the ideas for events, including “the World’s Largest Coffee Break,” came from “brainstorming,” Fritz said. Some things just fell together, he said. An example was the drum and bugle corps that appeared in the first few grand parades.
The devious Herr Gessler shows off for a captive audience during an early ‘70s celebration.
See U.S. Plywood, C11
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • C-11
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
U.S. Plywood opened its new plant and held an open house at the same time as the festival Cont’d
Jack Crouch and his Alpine pooch display their classy Alpenfest clothing.
It just so happened, he said, that many of the bands came from Ohio and were traveling through Gaylord on I-75 on their way to band competitions elsewhere. Gary Waldo, then Gaylord High School’s band director, and music chairman for the first festival, helped make arrangements for the band members to sleep in the high school gymnasium, and for local restaurants to feed them, Fritz said. Many coincidental elements helped the first Alpine Festival succeed, he added. U.S. Plywood opened its new plant and held an open house at the same time as the festival, he said, which ensured more people, including the governor and other dignitaries, would be on hand for the parade and other activities. Schlang’s Bavarian Inn on Old 27 South planned its first Bavarian Festival Tent with beer, bratwurst and polka dancing. Its opening coincided with Gaylord’s festival, Fritz said. “They weren’t part of the festival, per se,” he said. “But we had them on the program.” The first parade chairman was John Kammeyer, Fritz said, and the parade was held at 8 p.m. Friday and proceeded from west to east on Main Street. “We ran it west to east because it was late evening and the sun would be in their eyes going the other way,” he said. There was plenty of publicity for the first festival, Fritz said, because he was manager of the old Gaylord radio station WATC-AM, and Bob Benedict, chairman of the publicity committee, was publisher of the Herald Times. See ‘We never, C12
A Gaylord Alpenfest delegation, led by Queen Barbara Wolf (center), presents Gov. William G. Milliken (center) with his honorary liederhosen. Among those present are Jim Mongeau, towering over everyone in the back, and Mrs. Harold A. Elgas (far right).
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C-12 • Tuesday, July 15, 2014
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
‘We never had an idea of what a positive impact all of it had on the community’ Cont’d
Diana Fedrowicz, 1988 Alpenfest Queen, waves to the crowd after winning the pageant.
Area children embark on a bubble-blowing adventure in 1977.
“There was lots of publicity,” he said. Fritz said by the third year of the Alpine Festival, the name had been changed to Alpenfest. “Elgas and I thought Alpine Festival was too awkward, so we came up with Alpenfest,” he said. There was no grand parade at the first festival in 1965. Leo Strappazon, another of those early committee members, said he came up with the idea but too late for that first festival. Strappazon said the fledgling festival grew because of the voluntary efforts of many local residents, including Harry Collins, then executive secretary of the chamber of commerce, Ed Calkins, Tripp and Fritz. “It was a team effort as we all got together to get the merchants involved and the general public even sending ‘ambassadors’ with a queen to cities around the area,’ Strappazon said. A trip to Wisconsin by then personnel director at U.S. Plywood, Bill Deneen, reaped varied dividends for the community. U.S. Plywood sent Deneen to secure an Alpine Swiss singing group and yodeler as the entertainment for the first festival. While in Wisconsin, Deneen saw how Alpine architecture could be used to promote an area, and he toured prebuilt medical complex buildings, which would become the basis for the city’s medical complex. And on top of those farreaching discoveries, he secured entertainment that packed the high school gym. “It was just a roaring success,” Deneen said. Deneen credited the community efforts to keep the festival strong and vital 25 years after the idea first bore fruit. “We never had an idea of what a positive impact all of it had on the community,” he said.
One of the earliest U.S. appearances of A&W Restaurants’ Great Root Bear (also called Rooty) in person was at the 1977 Alpenfest.
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
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Alpenfest
Jim Grisso:
Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • C-13
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Alpenfest — 50 years of fantastic fun! It’s hard to believe that this marks the 50th anniversary of Alpenfest — 50 years of fantastic fun! It all started in 1964 when a large company, U.S. Plywood Corp. announced plans to locate a particle board plant west of Gaylord on Dickerson Road. The process used to manufacture particle board was developed and patented by Fred Fahrni, a Swiss businessman. Because the plant would create a significant number of jobs and have a big impact on the economy of the community, a group of business people put their heads together and came up with the idea of developing the Alpine motif downtown Gaylord and also creating a summer festival — initially called the Alpine Festival and then changed to Alpenfest. Local businessman Gordon Everett was a leader in promoting the Alpine design by producing an artist’s concept. Harold Elgas, president of Gaylord State Bank , sold his board of directors on the idea of financing virtually interest-free loans for businesses that would adopt the new Alpine theme. Over the years, large, national corporations that located here adopted the Alpine motif. What you see today is what you get. The festival has drawn interest throughout not only Michigan but the Midwest. It has a trademark of family fun for young and old alike. I can personally testify to that as a father who raised four daughters in Gaylord. They all participated in Alpenfest one way or another. See Memories, C14
The Grisso family stands with Harold Elgas (right). Pictured (front, l-r): Susie, Diane, Sandy, Becky; (back, l-r): Jim and Lois.
Reese Jeakle, Quinn Jeakle (dog), Lane Jeakle
Photo courtesy of Bill Fury
Chris Collins (left) and Bob McNamara stroll Main Street during Alpenfest.
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C-14 • Tuesday, July 15, 2014
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Memories of Alpenfest will always be fondly embedded in our ‘hearts and minds.’ Cont’d
Many volunteers are required to prepare the city for the annual Alpenfest, as shown by this photo from 2003.
One daughter, as drum majorette, led the Gaylord high school marching band in the Grand Parade. Another was out front of the walking parade playing the alphorn. My other daughters also performed in various other ways throughout the entire festival. For them, memories of Alpenfest will always be fondly embedded in their hearts and minds. Of the literally thousands of my memories, one epitomizes the fun and humor of Alpenfest. One year I took Publisher (aka “Pub”), my faithful golden retriever, to the walking parade. As we started walking down Main Street, he got a little overly excited. Actually it was more than a little. He had to relieve himself — and it was a big one. Obviously, I was somewhat embarrassed — but not those marching in the parade or standing on the sidelines. They laughed and even applauded. For more than 40 years, I was privileged to own only one of five complete collections of Alpenfest pins. A couple years ago I donated them to the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce. They are on display at the chamber of commerce office. Stop by and take look. It’s quite an array of pins. That’s what I’m talkin’ about when it comes to Alpenfest. And then we have hundreds of our residents dressed in Swiss apparel. That’s just one more thing that makes this festival stand above the crowd. The previous 49 festivals have been immeasurable in terms of fun and frolic. But this one may have a little extra oompah to it. As they say, I’ll see you on the Strasse for the 50th... Jim Grisso is former publisher of the Gaylord Herald Times and was an early supporter and organizer of Alpenfest.
The Alpenstrasse in 1988
PN-00413978
Main Street is a sea of color as Alpenfest participants march toward the World’s Largest Coffee Break in 2006.
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Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
Alpenfest
Tuesday, July 15, 2014 • C-15
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Alpenfest Queen candidate Alyssa FitzGerald (in pink) engages the crowd during Alpenfest 2008.
Facebook friends share their Alpenfest memories GAYLORD — We recently posed the question to our ever-growing following on our “Gaylord Herald Times” Facebook page, “What are your favorite memories of Alpenfest.” As one might expect, the memories are as diverse and unique as the festival itself. Below is a compilation of some of the “Facebook favorites.” Nicole Goddeyne: Alpenfest 2008: The year I was finally 21 and could drink with my mom at the Sugar Bowl and dance to some polka music, her favorite thing. She even bought the band’s CD! While walking back from the restroom, a young boy gave me two flowers and I gave one to my mom and we put it in our hair. Unfortunately, my mother died a couple months later but I will always cherish my first “legal” Alpenfest at my mom’s favorite spot!
A youngster gets into the Alpen-spirit while hula hooping in 2010.
Fourteen-year-old Chelsea Finnie of Lansing placed third in the 2006 jump rope contest for 12 to 14-year-olds.
The Alpenfest Run and Walk has been drawing participants to fitness for years. Here, the 1998 event is shown.
Betty Moore: 1967 and my sister, Barbara Hitchcock, was sponsored by Kiwanis of Gaylord in the Queen’s Pagent. She did a dance routine to “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and became first runner up to Queen Sandra Heska. I was very proud of my little sister. Our family has been involved in Alpenfest for all 50 years. I have a photo of my little brother in costume, leading his dog Smoky pulling a wagon with two dolls my mother dressed in Alpen garb. My favorite Alpenfest memory is the coincidence of both of my brothers returning to Gaylord for the first time in many years in 2002, one with his family for the first time, exactly when I was presented the Buergermeister black jacket!
The Cookies are currently booking select 2014 club and party dates and 2015 weddings. To book, please contact Marcia Taylor, General Manager, at 989-619-1396 or at marcia@thecookiesband.com. Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/thecookiesmusic Check out our web site to listen to songs and view our concert schedule at: www.thecookiesband.com
We Keep Keep ‘Em Dancin’!
PN-00413981
50
C-16 • Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Alpenfest
Gaylord Herald Times • Alpenfest 50
‘IT’S GOLDEN’
Celebrating 50 years of Alpen-fun From www.gaylordalpenfest.com. In the early 1960’s Gaylord, which is the county seat of Otsego County, was in the process of changing the town’s image to that of the Alpine look. This change was hastened by the decision of U.S. Plywood to build a particle board plant in Gaylord. The process used to manufacture particle board was developed and patented by a Swiss businessman, Fred Fahrni. The new plant meant employment for many in the area and also opened the door for a big market in the county for aspen and pine, from which the “Novaply” was processed. The plant was scheduled to open in 1965, and to help celebrate the opening, as well as show off the new look of Gaylord’s Main Street; a committee was formed in 1964 to plan a gala event. The committee was composed of General Chairman, Robert Fritz of Radio Station WATC; Finance Chairman, Harold Elgas, the President & CEO of Gaylord State Bank; Publicity Chairman, Robert Benidict, Publisher of the Herald Times; Nyman Tripp, the District Manager of General Telephone; Edward Calkins, Owner of Ken-Mar; Eileen Catt and Marie Sharp, Queens Committee; Nellie Schlang, costumes; Donald Smith, decorating; Gary Waldo, music; Bill Wishart, of Glen’s Market, in charge of concessions and Clark Bates, with the fire department, in charge of fireworks. The committee named the event THE ALPINE FESTIVAL, and it was later changed to the Alpenfest ®, as it is now known. Opening day for the festival set for July 5, 1965, and it was to run through July 10th. A terrific amount of work had to be done in a very short time. The entire community rose to the occasion. Nellie Schlang held classes on how to make dirndls and men’s Alpine vests. Hundreds of these were made, all very colorful and designed with an Alpine flair. Main Street stores dressed their windows with Alpine materials (as we thought!). Work on storefronts and building went on apace, decorations were purchased, skits and sets were practiced and excitement was building up. All of this cost money, and the committee had none. In addition to asking for direct contributions, the finance committee offered for sale, in stores and on the street, pins, buttons and little felt Alpine hats. Mr. Elgas vowed that every resident would at the very least have a hat and pin, and I believe they did! At least the budget was met. The parade route was planned to go from west to east and scheduled for 8:00 pm on Friday. Later, parades would be held on Saturday afternoon and proceed from east to west. There was to be no road equipment, farm machinery, or fire trucks in the parade. Any horses that were in the parade were to be positioned to the rear of any band or marching units. Ed Calkins was in charge of the parade for many years and arranged to have several drum and bugle corps visit Gaylord to join the parade, thus providing not only a colorful marching unit, but also a whole lot of music. Fifty seven units made up the first Alpenfest ® parade, and it was on of the most beautiful and colorful to grace Main Street in years.
Tommy Tropic thrilled during the 2005 Alpenfest.
Ice cream always tastes better during Alpenfest week, as pictured here in 1999.
A youngster wows the crowd during the 1999 knee contest. A pair of Alpenfest staples. Dave Baragrey interviews Herr Gessler in 2000.
Happy 50th Alpenfest ®
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