The Bavarian Fall Fest in St. Marys on Friday through Sunday will feature everything from a 175th anniversary parade to a performance by impersonators of country artists Tim McGraw and Shania Twain to German grub.
And there’ll likely be plenty of people milling in the streets in the city Friday through Sunday –– if initial interest is any indication, said event co-chairwoman Dolly Wehler. She’s been contacted about the event by individuals from as far away as Tyrone, about an hour and a half away from St. Marys.
“I think we’re going to draw people from quite-a-ways away,” she said.
On Friday, vendor registration and signup is scheduled from 8 to 11 a.m. Craft and food vendors will open their booths starting at 11 a.m. There’ll be many food choices, including reuben sandwiches to homemade pies, Wehler said.
Appearing in the festival will be many types of vendors, including wood items to jewelry. “Almost anything you can think of with craft vendors will be at the festival,” Wehler said.
Opening ceremonies are planned for 6 p.m. Friday with a song called “Bells of St. Marys” composed by Paul Fehrenbach performed by the St. Marys Middle School Band.
Also, John Salter of Salter Communications will receive the person of the year award.
Hot Foot Harry, a ‘70s and ‘80s rock band, will take to the stage starting at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, craft and food vendors and a farmers market will open at 9 a.m.
One of the highlights of the Bavarian Fall Fest will be the 175th city anniversary parade, which kicks off at 11 a.m. and will include bands and floats. The parade will start at the Elk County Catholic School parking lot, continue to Louis Street, Center Street, North Michael Street, Parade Street, North St. Marys Street, North Michael Street, Depot Street and end at the parking garage.
Also that day, The Little German Band, dressed in authentic German lederhosen, will perform German/American music on the main stage beginning at 1 p.m. and Travis and Denny Unplugged, which plays a wide variety of rock, pop and country, will perform starting at 4:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m., Tim McGraw and Shania Twain impersonators will perform on the main stage, something that Wehler considers a highlight of the festival.
For the children, there will be a rock climbing wall, and on Saturday, several clowns will be strolling around the festival.
On Sunday morning, the Crystal Fire Department will host a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. Craft and food vendors will open at 9 a.m. A folk Mass is planned for the main stage starting at 10 a.m.
At 11:30 a.m., Chase and the Barons, which brings a different approach to rock n’ roll, will take to the main stage.
The festival will conclude at 3 p.m. Sunday.
For more information about the event, call Wehler at 814-781-7247 or visit http://www.bavarianfallfest.com/.
