From 1971 to 1984, Cincinnati neighborhood St. Bernard hosted its annual "German Luau" carnival. This summer, the festival is coming off of its 35-year hiatus to once again celebrate Cincinnati's German heritage with a unique Hawaiian twist (think tiki torches, coconut bras and grass skirts mingling with lederhosen and German beer and food).
“It was warm and welcoming, the spirit of Hawaiian hospitality,”’ Marge Niesen, head of the St. Bernard-Ludlow Grove Historical Society, says of the fest in a press release. “Everybody got in the spirit.”
The three-day event is set for Aug. 2-4 on Vine Street (which will be partially closed to traffic) and the parking lots across from Chili Time restaurant and the relatively new Wiedemann's Brewery & Pub, a (logically) sponsor of the beer, music and food fest. The Village of St. Bernard and the St. Bernard Recreation Department are also co-sponsors.
According to the press release, the German Luau event was once praised as the best festival in town by Cincinnati Magazine. The fest ended in 1984 because it had grown so much, organizers couldn't gather enough volunteers to keep it running. The popular souvenir "beer pails" are also returning for the 2019 event.
Wiedemann’s will be the primary beer provided for the 2019 festival and will be brewing up a "Luau Brau" for the occasion. Other vendors include Over-the-Rhine-based The Lübecker, which serves up authentic German cuisine, St. Bernard’s Woodstone Creek Winery and Distillery and Graeter’s. Yes, there will also be Hawaiian shaved ice treats.
The German Luau festivities will also include kid-friendly games and "inflatables," hula hoop contests and live music from various Cincinnati musical acts. See the full music schedule below.
Friday, Aug. 2
6-8 p.m.: Grant Park
8-11p.m.: Pandora Effect
Saturday, Aug. 3 | 1-11pm
2-5 p.m.: The SunBurners
5-7 p.m.: Kyla Mainous
6-8 p.m.: Walking Circus
7-11 p.m.: The Klaberheads
Sunday, Aug. 4 | 1-9pm
2-5 p.m.: DJ Wild Bill Helton
5-8 p.m.: Slick Willie & the Kentucky Jellies
