50th Anniversary

There aren’t many civic associations that can boast as many accomplishments as ours, or can cherish the fact that they have been doing it for five decades.  The German Village Society stands out as a remarkable example of what a group of neighbors can do when they are determined to make the very best of their surroundings.  So, throughout 2010, we will celebrate fifty years of working on behalf of residents, of promoting the restoration of our historic architecture, and of fostering a sense of community like no other in Columbus.

To commemorate the German Village Society’s 50th anniversary year, we have  a gala, exhibits, forums, tours and events in the works. The 50th Anniversary Committee has been charged with planning a year-long series of events to celebrate the fact that the German Village Society has now been in existence for 50 years.

GET INVOLVED!

CONTACT 50th Anniversary Committee Chair: Sarah Irvin Clark – sarah@irvinpr.com
Following are events that are in planned through May:

Jan. 10 — 17: “It is by Sharing our Roots that they Become Stronger” exhibit in Brent Warner Fest Hall; a museum-quality exhibition that features vintage photographs, artifacts and other never-before-seen pieces of our history.
Feb. 27: German Village @ 50: Taste of the Good Life at Haaf Hall at Grange Insurance; A celebration of the German Village Society’s 50th Anniversary will feature cocktails and food stations by the signature restaurants of German Village, including Bakery Gingham, Barcelona Restauarnt & Bar, G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar, Hey Hey Bar & Grill, Katzinger’s Delicatessan, Kroger @ Brewer’s Yard, Lindey’s, Max & Erma’s, Pistacia Vera, Schmidt’s Restaurant und Sausage Haus
 

March 26: In March, the German Village Art League is hosting “Visions of the Village,” an exclusive art exhibition.  Enjoy the works of our neighborhood’s celebrated artists, as they offer their interpretations of our famous neighborhood.  You may even have the opportunity to purchase a painting for your home.
 

May 8: Mother May I? In just a few short years, the German Village Business Community has created one of our neighborhood’s premier annual events, drawing visitors (and shoppers!) from all over Central Ohio.  This year, participating businesses will feature a special, 50th Anniversary tie-in.  Plan to attend, and to support our shops and restaurants
 

May 8: the German Village Garten Club hosts a day-long sale of plants, flowers and just about anything else you might want for your garden.  The 2010 garden sale will feature a special, 50th Anniversary flower.  What will it be?  Just wait and see!

Muffins vs GVS team (hopefully to be named Cupcakes, but for now, let’s just say GVS) 7/10 at 3:30 pm, Schiller Park. The German Village baseball team will be playing the Ohio Village Muffins in an epic battle of historic places.

Feature in Frank Fetch 8/13  — The 50th anniversary committee will host an outdoor movie night at Frank Fetch Park featuring The Sound of Music sing-along (we thought the Friday the 13th theme appropriate since the singing is sure to be frightful!)

Pub Crawl 10/1 — Bottoms up! We’ll be doing what German Villagers do best and taking an at-your-own-pace-tour of six neighborhood bars. A house drink will be provided at each bar to Pub Crawlers, along with many other fun treats throughout the day. Time TBD

WOSU Preview/premiere 10/19 — WOSU-TV is airing a series on Columbus Neighborhoods and a one-hour show about German Village past and present will air on Thursday, Oct. 21st. The 50th anniversary committee is hosting an exclusive preview of this show on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m at the German Village Meeting Haus, Brent Warner Fest Hall.

Tree Lighting 12/3 — The annual tree lighting in Frank Fetch Park will feature a 50th anniversary twist when the wreaths in the park will have gold ribbons and the trees on Third Street will be decked out in gold with a commemorative ornament available for all Villagers to purchase.

Time capsule party 1/9/11 — The culmination of our German Village 50th anniversary year will be burying a time capsule commemorating our present-day German Village lives — with instructions for Villagers 50 years from now to open.

May 8 & May 9: Our favorite choral group will present “German Village:  The Musical.”  Join the Village Singers as they present a unique, musical interpretation of our storied past.