Who we are
Germanfest was founded in 1981 as a celebration of Fort Wayne’s deep German heritage and has since grown into one of the largest festivals in Northeast Indiana. Organized by four local German-American clubs—Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor, Fort Wayne Sport Club, German Heritage Society, and the Fort Wayne Turners—the festival honors the region’s rich cultural traditions through authentic food, music, and community events. Each June, tens of thousands gather at Headwaters Park to experience the spirit of Gemütlichkeit, keeping Fort Wayne’s German roots alive through song, dance, and time-honored festivities.
GERMANFEST COMMITEE OF FORT WAYNE
Our committee of volunteers work year-round to make GermanFest magical!
2025 OFFICERS
President: Eric Nau
Vice President: Ken Alderman
Treasurer: Eric Keller
Secretary: Denise Snider
At Large: Kevin Warren, Rachel Eckert, Duane Delbeke, Darwin Dahlgren, Matt Gallaway
2025 COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Bar: Angela Paonessa
Culture Tent: Melissa Alderman
Events: Olivia Salzman
FamilienFest: Nancy Fritz
Kitchen & Concessions: Kevin Warren and Ken Alderman
Location: Charlie Fritz
Marketing: Vacant
Musical Entertainment: Denise Snider
Ticket Trailer: Eric Keller
Volunteer Engagement: Angela Paonessa
DANKE SCHÖN TO OUR AMAZING BEHIND THE SCENES VOLUNTEERS FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO DELIVERING FORT WAYNE’S BEST SUMMER FESTIVAL!
WE WELCOME ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SHARING THEIR TIME & SKILLS.
GermanFest doesn’t happen without dedicated volunteers working behind the scenes year-round! From event planning and logistics to marketing, sponsorships, and vendor coordination, our volunteer committee plays a crucial role in making the festival a success. If you’re passionate about German culture, organization, or community events, we’d love your help! Join our team and be part of the magic that keeps GermanFest going!