The 30th annual German Heritage Festival is back at St. Nick’s Grove this weekend, celebrating the traditions and culture of Erie’s German community. The festival features German food, beer, crafts, and live music throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n
“You have no idea what the generations before us, what they contributed, and how hard they worked to make this all come together, and it’s nice to recognize that, and also just recognize some of the great food, the good times they had, and the music,” said Ray Luniewski, the Co-chair of the festival.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Gem City Renaissance Festival continues amid storm damage\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Organizers said the festival is about more than just highlighting German heritage\u2014 it’s about sharing culture with the entire Erie community.<\/p>\n “This festival is such a fun family gathering, I mean,we see families come year after year, I mean I’ve seen their parents come, and now it’s their kids coming with their kids, and everybody dresses up. That’s what makes this festival so special,” said Melissa Lesniewski, the Co-chair of the festival.<\/p>\n While the festival celebrates German heritage, organizers said it’s also an opportunity to recognize the diversity that makes up Erie.<\/p>\n “I think it’s important to celebrate all the heritage, you know, there’s so many different nationalities that came in to make America what it is, and we’re starting to lose some of that,” said Luniewski.<\/p>\n