Heritage and history are two things most small towns have in common. In the just over 5,000-person town of Frankenmuth, you will find both: heritage and history being celebrated together during the Frankenmuth festivals!
There are several different festivals celebrated throughout the year in Frankenmuth, but the two you don’t want to miss are the Summer Music Fest and Frankenmuth Oktoberfest! Summer Music Fest is five days of heritage being expressed through Polish Polka music, dancing, and great food! Polka bands come from all over the state just to play. Oktoberfest is a German festival where they celebrate by dressing up in their Bavarian outfits, racing wiener dogs, and enjoying heritage drinks!
Oktoberfest wiener dog races.
Madison Sahr, loan officer in GreenStone’s Bay City branch, has been helping at these two festivals for thirteen years! Sahr’s mother has been the festivals coordinator for 23 years and Sahr has been her mom’s right-hand woman for each event. She helps with whatever she needs, from emptying the trash to judging wiener dog races!
People come from all over the country to enjoy these festivals. “We have this sign that's hung up, it has lights for all the states that people come from,” Sahrs says. “Anyone can come up and request us to light up their state, and it normally gets pretty full every year!”
Madison and her husband dressed up for Oktoberfest.
The festival is a family – and community - affair! Sahr’s dad grows the broom corn that is used during the Oktoberfest. Her mom also supports the local farmers by purchasing their pumpkins and straw to decorate the festival. Abele’s Greenhouse, a local greenhouse in Saginaw, donates their mums each year to show their support.
Not only does the festivals bring the community together, but it supports the community as well. “The Frankenmuth Oktoberfest donates to the Frankenmuth High School German club. This year we were able to give them $12,500.”
Madison's oldest daughter dressed in German attire.
Community and family mean a lot to Sahr, “As I get older, I see how much more important volunteering is and how much I love it. It’s a special time every year because so much of my family and friends are involved in it and helping and we all have a lot of fun together. I grew up in Frankenmuth, so it feels good to be able to promote our community and give back to those who come and enjoy our town.”
GreenStone is proud of employees like Sahr who help out in the communities they love. We encourage you to get involved! Learn more about our community outreach and engagement efforts by visiting Open Fields Blog | GreenStone FCS.
