Bayern Verein Newark
Founded in January 1931

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The Bayern Verein Newark has lots of events each year. Photos from our more recent events are below.

2009 Events

BVN Oktoberfest at Deutscher Club, Clark, NJ - September 12 + 13, 2009
22nd Gaufest, Toledo, OH - August 13 - 16, 2009
Pocono Wurst Festival, Shawnee, PA - July 19, 2009
BVN Summer Picnic at Swim and Sport Club Oktoberfest, Flanders, NJ - July 12, 2009
79th Stiftungsfest and Beerfest - March 21, 2009
BVN General Meeting, Clark, NJ - January 18, 2009

Also look at our
2008 Scrapbook | 2007 Scrapbook | 2006 Scrapbook | Preisplatteln Results Page

Some of the typical events held each year are:

General Meeting

Stiftungsfest

Bayern Abend at Deutscher Club Clark

Mid-Atlantic Kinderfest

German Heritage Festival at PNC Bank Arts Center

Oktoberfest

New York City Steuben Day Parade

Halloween Party

Christmas Party

If you happen to have photos of these (or any other) BVN events, please contact us so they can be included here!

2008 Events
	BVN Oktoberfest at Deutscher Club, Clark, NJ - September 12 + 13, 2009: On Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th we hosted our annual "Original Münchner Oktoberfest" on the grounds of Deutscher Club of Clark. It was the first 2-day Oktoberfest since we left Farcher's Grove so many years ago. The picnic grove, pavilion and kitchen were decorated in the blue and white colors of Bavaria, the kitchen was humming with activity and the bar was sharing the spirits, including traditional Oktoberfest beer. Throughout the weekend, many in attendance could be seen partaking in a new fundraising idea, the German Flag Shot! All of the proceeds will be used to send our prize-winning dance team and members to Bavaria in the summer of 2010 to participate in the Preisplatteln zum Bayrischen Löwen. What a great idea and thanks to all that made it successful. A wonderful and appreciative crowd danced to the music of Bernie's Orchestra throughout the evening on Saturday, even though the weather wasn't completely cooperative. BVN dancers from the Kinder, Junior and Senior groups entertained throughout the evening in the pavilion with traditional plattlers and folk/figure dances. Our friends from Edelweiss Passiac (NJ) were also kind enough to join us for the evening and add to the entertainment with their special dances. A big "thanks" to them for their efforts. On Sunday, we awoke to a beautiful sunny sky. A perfect day for an Oktoberfest! Those in attendance danced to the sounds of SPITZE!, with former BVN member Bill Mueller of Florida at the helm (and the drums). Dancers from BVN, Edelweiss Passaic and Schlierachtaler Stamm (NY) entertained everyone with a variety of ethnic dances. We even had a vendor selling traditional German wares, including steins, linens and Christmas decorations. Many thanks to the band and the visiting dancers for sharing this event with us. The kitchen was busy all weekend with the smells of Bratwurst, Bauernwurst, Leberkaese and Kassler Rippchen wafting throughout the grove. And don't forget the hand-made potato salad! Add a weissbier from the tap at the bar, and you felt like you were in Munich. Traditional Bavarian pretzels, lovingly warmed in the outside oven and a staple at our fests for many years, were also a big hit with the guests. True Bavarian Bienenstich (bee hive cake) and plum cake were quick sellers as well. Before we knew it, the weekend was coming to an end and we were already looking forward to next year's Oktoberfest. Thanks to all who helped make it a wonderful and successful event. More photos to come soon. Click on the thumbnails for full sized images (and click the Back button on your browser to return here)!
	22nd Gaufest, Toledo, OH - August 13 - 16, 2009: Toledo Holzhacker Buam of Toledo, OH hosted the 22nd Gaufest at the Toledo Convention Center the weekend of August 13 - 16. Although the weather was quite warm over the weekend, the Gaufest turned out to be an eventful one for Bayern Verein Newark. 40 BVN members and friends made the ride or flight to the Crowne Plaza Hotel to experience all of what a Gaufest has to offer. From the check-in on Thursday afternoon through the last note by the band at the MAS*H-themed farewell dance on Sunday night, it was a Gaufest to remember. There were many events at this Gaufest for everyone to participate in. Our group enjoyed the music, singing and dance workshops, as well as all of the U.S. and European vendors displaying their wears. The music and entertainment at all of the events was fantastic and congratulations to all of the other trachten groups that performed Ehrentanze over the weekend. It's always great to see so many different groups and their tracht. The fireworks show during the banquet was a truly unique touch and I'm sure everyone was in awe at it's beauty and length. What a great idea! On Friday, our Einzelplatteln couples, Paul Ulrich, Jr. and Tiffany Ehmann and Gemmy Siegel and Monika Charmoy, took the stage in the toughest age group, 16 - 34. They all did a wonderful job and we are all very proud of them for putting in the extra effort for the club. On Saturday morning, our Gruppen Preisplattler team performed the Haushammer as one of the 16 groups entered into the competition. The team members were Ralph Ehmann, Debbie Seitel, Rick Ernst, Irene Ehmann, Peter Ehmann, Tiffany Ehmann, Paul Ulrich, Jr. and Marianne Ehmann. Our alternates were Gemmy Siegel, Monika Charmoy and Linda Mehne. And of course, the most important member of the group, our accordion player, Paul Kohler. All of the help from the various club members the morning of the competition is always appreciated and makes the Gaufest one of the truly great events on the club's calendar every two years. It was a great example of our motto for the weekend - BVN STOLZ! The highlight of the weekend for BVN came in 2 doses, one on Saturday night and one on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday night at the banquet, the Einzelplattler awards were announced and Paul Ulrich, Jr. and Tiffany Ehmann came in 1st in their age group and Gemmy Seigel and Monika Charmoy moved all the way up to 25th out of 49 couples entered. What an outstanding achievement for all! On Sunday afternoon, at the Gaufest Picnic, the Gruppen Preisplattler awards were announced and BVN once again took 1st place! What a wonderful surprise considering the level of competition. A truly great achievement! One of the benefits of our 1st place showing in both Gruppen and Einzelplatteln is that we have been invited to participate in the Preisplatteln zum Bayrischen Löwen in Neufahrn bei Wolfratshausen (Loisachgau) next summer. What an honor to be able to compete against the best in Bavaria. We are very much looking forward to it! We would also like to congratulate the other vereins that placed at this year's Gaufest: 2nd Place - STV Bavaria Cleveland, Cleveland, OH 3rd Place - GTEV Maple Leaf Almrausch, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 4th Place - TEV Edelweiss, Denver, CO 5th Place - United German Hungarians, Oakford, PA You can watch the BVN 1st Place Ehrentanz on this YouTube Video. We hope to see as many members as possible at the next Gaufest in 2011 in Orlando, Florida! Click on the thumbnails for full sized images (and click the Back button on your browser to return here)!
	Pocono Wurst Festival, Shawnee, PA - July 19, 2009: The Bayern Verein Newark dancers were requested to dance at the 1st Annual Pocono Wurst Festival at Shawnee Mountain Ski Resort. This 2-day event brings together the music, dancing and food of the German and Polish cultures, creating a wonderful and colorful atmosphere. Over 3,000 people attended the festival in it's first year and we hope to return and continue the tradition. Click on the thumbnails for full sized images (and click the Back button on your browser to return here)!
	BVN Summer Picnic at Swim and Sport Club Oktoberfest, Flanders, NJ - July 12, 2009: About 40 members and friends of Bayern Verein Newark attended the annual Oktoberfest picnic at the Swim and Sport club in Flanders, NJ. Like the past few years, spending time at the SSC brings back many memories of our annual BVN picnics there back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. The club still looks the same after all these years, and you can even see the bottom of the pool now! As always, the food and beverages were plentiful and the music of Bernie's Orchestra and dancing of our good friends from Edelweiss Passaic kept everyone tapping their feet. The great weather allowed many of our younger members to enjoy the pool. Some of the non-swimmers played card games and everyone enjoyed the music and entertainment in the pavilion. The setting sun greeted us as we loaded up the cars and ventured home. As always, we look forward to coming back again next year. Thanks to Irene Keller of SSC for making us feel at home as always. In a special ceremony, an EhrenUrkunde was presented to Hans Weller, our new Ehrenschatzmeister (Honorary Treasurer), for all of the time and energy he has dedicated to the club over the last 30 years. More photos to come soon. Click on the thumbnails for full sized images (and click the Back button on your browser to return here)!
	79th Stiftungsfest and Beerfest - March 21, 2009: Over 300 family, friends and fellow trachtlers joined us at the Kenilworth Veterans Center on March 21st for an evening of celebrating Bayern Verein Newark's 79th anniversary and the second annual "Beerfest". The musical entertainment for the evening was provided by "The Kapelle Fellas" from Pennsylvania and they had everyone dancing till the last song of the evening. Thanks to John Schwab and the band for making our evening an enjoyable and successful one. We were glad we could move them to the Stiftungsfest after having to cancel our 2008 Oktoberfest at the last minute. As always, the food served was delicious and plentiful. Thanks to all of the "chefs" in the kitchen and everyone who helped make this event a success. The evening was highlighted by the performances of our adult and Kinder dance groups. The adults performed the Chiemgauer Dreher for the first time and the Kindergruppe stole the show with their performance of the Miner's Dance. The Kindergruppe also performed the Steirer Figuren Tanz for the first time!. We also had performances by all of the visiting Vereins, including Edelweiss Passaic from New Jersey and Gemutlichen Enzian, Schlierachtaler Stamm and Edelweiss Westchester from New York. We always appreciate their support of our events and they came through for us again this year! See you again next year for our 80th Stiftungsfest! Click on the thumbnails for full sized images (and click the Back button on your browser to return here)!
	BVN General Meeting, Clark, NJ - January 18, 2009: The annual BVN General Meeting and Dinner was held on Sunday, January 18th at the Deutscher Club in Clark, NJ. Approximately 45 members and their families attended the meeting to hear about current and upcoming events as well as what we accomplished as a club in 2008. We also voted in the 2009 slate of club officers. Please see the Contact Info and Officer page for a list and picture of the 2009 BVN Executive Board. During the meeting a budget proposal was reviewed by Paul Ulrich, Jr. and approved by the membership. This will help us continue to prosper as an organization. Many thanks to Paul and the budget committee for seeing this effort to a fruitful conclusion. At the end of the meeting BVN President Paul Ulrich presented Membership Anniversary pins to our new 25 and 15-year members. We would all like to congratulate the following members on their significant milestones: 50-Year Member: Sigi Brunnacker, Sr. Daniel Iselborn Alfred Wagner 25-Year Member: Bernie Fliger 15-Year Member: Mary Cook In a special ceremony, an EhrenUrkunde was presented to Hans Weller, our new Ehrenschatzmeister (Honorary Treasurer), for all of the time and energy he has dedicated to the club over the last 30 years. Once the meeting concluded, we headed downstairs to the Deutscher Club dining room for a wonderful cocktail hour and buffet dinner. We are looking forward to an eventful and prosperous 2009! Click on the thumbnails for full sized images (and click the Back button on your browser to return here)!