Willkommen aus Roberts Cove, LA Germanfest!

DinnerBreakfastLunchBrunchDessertWine Roberts Cove Germanfest - October 6-7, 2012 - Roberts Cove, Louisiana Welcome

Roberts Cove, La

Germanfest

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Oktober 6-7, 2012

Louisiana is known for being home to people of many different cultures and backgrounds. Roberts Cove, Louisiana is no exception! Our small community is nestled in the heart of the seven parish region in south Louisiana known as Acadiana. It is in our small community where we celebrate our rich German heritage during our annual festival held during the first weekend of October.

Live entertainment, authentic German food, a large selection of German beer on tap, folklore demonstrations and children's activities are just a few of the attractions scheduled for this year's festival. Our clean and family friendly environment makes our festival a great place to visit! Young or old, our festival will leave you with memories

that you will never forget!

Join us for a taste of German food, fun and heritage.

It is sure to be an experience you will never forget!

Willkommen!

Our History

A Brief History of

Roberts Cove, La

It all began when Rev. Peter Leonard Thevis, a native priest of Langbroich, Germany, was asked by Archbishop Jean-Marie Odin to come to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1867 because of the large number of German immigrants there. He was assigned to the Holy Trinity Church parish in New Orleans. During one of Fr. Thevis' trips home to Germany, he persuaded his family to come check out this area in Louisiana. In 1878, Fr. Thevis' brother, Peter Joseph Thevis, his nephew, John Gerhard Thevis and a friend, Herman Grein came to America. Because of the yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans, the three men, who landed on the East Coast, proceeded to Milwaukee, Wis. and stayed there with friends until January 1880. At this time a new railroad was being completed connecting New Orleans to Texas. It was on January 13, 1880 that Fr. Thevis, accompanied by his two kinsmen and Herman Grein, came on this railway to Rayne, and to the prairie land three miles north of Rayne to look over the area. The site selected for the future colony was known as "Roberts Cove" named for Benjamin Roberts, the original owner of a Spanish land grant. Thereafter, thirteen families joined them in 1881. More came in the following years. At present there are approximately 175 families living in the Roberts Cove area. These German Catholics were fleeing Germany to avoid religious persecution and military impressments. They left their homeland of the Gangelt, Geilenkirchen district of Germany and established a strong rice farming community, deeply rooted. religious faith and German traditions right here in Louisiana. Fr. Hennemann, OSB, of the Benedictine order, who was a Missionary to German-speaking Catholics in the United States, was looking for a place to put a monastery when he met Fr. Thevis in New Orleans in the spring of 1883. They ventured to Roberts Cove where Fr. Henneman purchased land that included a house which served as both a rectory and a chapel and another building which served as a school house. He brought with him a Catholic Brother who was to conduct the school. Thus only two years after its beginning, the colony had acquired a German priest and a teacher. The Monastery never came to be but the Benedictines helped to established the parish of St. Leo IV in 1885. Throughout these past 105 years, the St. Leo IV church has been the heart of the Roberts Cove community. The uniqueness of this small German community is the fact that they settled in the middle of the French Acadian area of Southwest Louisiana. Even though they are surrounded by French Acadians, they never gave up their German customs and traditions handed down from their ancestors. Some of these customs include the singing of German hymns for the feasts of Corpus Christi, All Saints, Christmas and funerals. The singing of German Folk Songs are still sung on the feast of St. Leo IV, Germanfest and many other events celebrated at St. Leo IV Church. Another special event takes place on the eve of St Nicholas, Dec. 5th. Each year the St. Leo IV Choir, accompanied by St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in the third century, who is the I patron saint of children; Black Peter, a small boy made up to resemble a child of Asia Minor, who accompanied the Bishop on his rounds and Santa Claus. This group visits fourteen homes where families group together. Christmas carols, mostly German, are sung while St. Nicholas speaks to all the children and Santa gives them candy. Fr. Charles Zaunbrecher, historian for all the German families who settled in Roberts Cove, began to have family reunions or Feierleckkeiten, (family celebrations) on the first Sunday of October each year. The larger families would alternate years. As time went on, we were prompted to share our German Culture and Heritage with all our neighbors of Southwest La. Thus in 1995, the first Roberts Cove Germanfest came to be, thereby, combining all the families together and extending it to ALL who wanted to join us for one big celebration. The first full weekend of October; faith, family and local German heritage are celebrated on the grounds of St. Leo IV church during the annual Roberts Cove Germanfest. Visitors are treated to local German food, heritage and genealogy. German singing and German Folk dancing performed by descendants from 8 to 80 years old are special attractions.

St. Leo IV Church circa Early 1900s

Entertainment

Experience A Variety of

Attractions & Entertainment

JOIN US AS WE SHARE OUR GERMAN HERITAGE WITH YOU!

Our festival has so much to offer anyone of any age.

Our two day festival has a schedule filled with local German folklore groups, children singers and authentic German Bands

Here is just a sample of the entertainment available at the festival:

Roberts Cove Germanfest Kinder Auftrit

(Children's Performance)

Roberts Cove Germanfest Folklore Dancers &

Rathkamp Dancers

Roberts Cove Germanfest Folk Singers

Various Authentic German Bands

Tailgators

Additional Activites/Attractions Include:

Various Folklore Presentations/Demonstrations

Children's Activities

Antique Farm and Threshing Equipment

Blacksmith Demonstrations

German Heritage Muesum

Gift Shop featuring souvenirs and hand crafted items

Saint Leo IV Church and Chapel

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Schedule

Our 2012 Roberts Cove Germanfest

Schedule of Events

The Roberts Cove Germanfest Association works diligently year round to ensure that our annual festival features entertainment and attractions for every member of your family.

As the festival nears, we will publish the 2012 Schedule of Events for our annual festival.

Please stay tuned to our website and our Facebook page for more information on our schedule of events.

We look forward to celebrating our German heritage with you at our 2012 Roberts Cove Germanfest!

Food and Drinks

Sample Our Large Selection of

Food and Drinks

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Dinner With any festival,there is sure to be plenty of food and drinks around for everyone to enjoy! The Roberts Cove Germanfest is indeed no exeption! Our festival offers a large variety of German Foods that are linked not only to the German culture, but also the kitchens of many of our residents in the Roberts Cove community.To learn more about our selection of food and drinks, please click on each tab to the left of this section.

Breakfast One of our famous attractions at our festival is our wide selection of homemade German foods.Here is just a sample of some of the menu itemsyou will find at our festival:-Sampler Plate(Our Sampler Plate includes one link of German Sausage "wurst", German Potato Stew, Sauerkraut Potatoes and Wurst and a serving of German Apple Cobbler "Apfel Kuchen")-Smoked Sausage or"Wurst"on a Bun or Stick-Potato Stew-Sauerkraut, Potatoes and Wurst-Hot Dogs -Regular or Sweet Potato Fries-Cake Funnels

Lunch Compliment any of your food selections with one of our homemade German desserts.Our deserts are sure to keep you coming back for more! We serve deserts that are made from homemade recipes that have been carried down from generations of decedents in Roberts Cove.Here is just a sample of our sweets that are available for purchase at the festival:-Apfel Kuchen (German Apple Cobbler)-Zucher Platzkens (German Sugar Cookies)-Hot Chocolate-Brownies-And much more!Our desserts are worth trying and are definitely in high demand by festival goers!

Brunch Quench your thirst at the Roberts Cove Germanfest though purchasing one of our bottled soft drinks, water or alcoholic beverages.Visit our "DRINK TENT" to purchase bottled soft drinks and water.Visit our "BEER TENT" to purchase German and domestic beer on tap.Not a beer fan? No worries... We have a selection of wines available for purchase as well under the "BEER TENT". You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase beer or wine under the "BEER TENT"Please drink responsibly!

Dessert Are you ready to sample our food and drinks?Before you can do so, please make note of the following:You must purchase tickets in order to purchase food or drinks at the festival.Tickets are $1 each and are available for purchase underneath the "BIG TENT" on the festival grounds.And remember, to purchase any alcoholic beverage, you MUST BE 21 years of age or older.Please Join Us and sample our extensive food and drink selection!

Dinner
Breakfast
Lunch
Brunch
Dessert

A Special Thanks to our Festival

Our annual festival would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors.

Interested in becoming a festival sponsor?

Call Us at 1.337.334.8356

or email us at info_robertscovegermanfest.com

Photos

Welcome

Roberts Cove Germanfest

Photo Album

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Have A Photo to Share?

~-~

Do you have a great family friendly photo of yourself, family and or friends taken at the Germanfest that

you would like added to our photo album?

If so, please feel free to post it on our Facebook page or email it to webmaster_robertscovegermanfest.com

and we will gladly add it to our photo album!

We want our visitors to know about all of the fun

that the festival has to offer!

Click Here to Flip Through Our Album

Our History

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A Brief History of

Roberts Cove, La

It all began when Rev. Peter Leonard Thevis, a native priest of Langbroich, Germany, was asked by Archbishop Jean-Marie Odin, to come to New Orleans, La. in 1867 because of the large number of German immigrants there. He was assigned to the Holy Trinity Church parish in New Orleans On one of Fr. Thevis' trips home in Germany, he persuaded his family to come check out this area in La. In 1878, Fr. Thevis' brother Peter Joseph Thevis, his nephew, John Gerhard Thevis and a friend Herman Grein came to America. Because of the yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans, the three men, who landed on the East Coast, proceeded to Milwaukee, Wis. and stayed there with friends until January 1880. At this time a new railroad was being completed connecting New Orleans to Texas. It was on January 13, 1880 that Fr. Thevis, accompanied by his two kinsmen and Herman Grein, came on this railway to Rayne, and to the prairie land three miles north of Rayne to look over the area. The site selected for the future colony was known as "Roberts Cove" named for Benjamin Roberts, the original owner of a Spanish land grant Thereafter, thirteen families joined them in 1881. More came in the following years. At present there are approximately 175 families living in the Roberts Cove area These German Catholics were fleeing Germany to avoid religious persecution and military impressments. They left their homeland of the Gangelt, Geilenkirchen district of Germany and established a strong rice farming community, deeply rooted. religious faith and German traditions right here in Louisiana. Fr. Hennemann, OSB, of the Benedictine order, who was a Missionary to German-speaking Catholics in the United States was looking for a place to put a monastery when he met Fr. Thevis in New Orleans in the spring of 1883. They ventured to Roberts Cove where Fr. Henneman purchased land that included a house which served as both rectory and chapel and another building which served as a school house. He brought with him a Catholic Brother who was to conduct the school. Thus only two years after its be- ginning, the colony had acquired a German priest and a teacher. The Monastery never came to be but the Benedictines helped to established the parish of St. Leo IV in 1885. Throughout these past 105 years, the St. Leo IV church has been the heart of the Roberts Cove community. The uniqueness of this small German Community is the fact that they settled in the middle of the French Acadian area of Southwest Louisiana. Even though they are surrounded by French Acadians, they never gave up their German customs and traditions handed down from their ancestors Some of these customs include the singing of German hymns for the feasts of Corpus Christi, All Saints, Christmas and funerals. The singing of German Polk Songs are still sung on the feast of St. Leo IV, Germanfest and many other events celebrated at St. Leo IV Church. Another special event takes place on the eve of St Nicholas, Dec. 5th. Each year the St. Leo IV Choir, accompanied by St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in the third century, who is the I patron saint of children; Black Peter, a small boy made up to resemble a child of Asia Minor, who accompanied the Bishop on his rounds and Santa Claus. This group visits fourteen homes where families group together. Christmas carols, mostly German, are sung while St. Nicholas speaks to all the children and Santa gives them candy. Fr. Charles Zaunbrecher, historian for all the German families who settled in Roberts Cove, began to have family reunions or Feierleckkeiten, (family celebrations) on the first Sunday of October each year. The larger families would alternate years. As time went on, we were prompted to share our German Culture and Heritage with all our neighbors of Southwest La. Thus in 1995, the first Roberts Cove Germanfest came to be, thereby, combining all the families together and extending it to ALL who wanted to join us for one big celebration. The first full weekend of October, faith, family and local German heritage are celebrated on the grounds of St. Leo IV church during the annual Roberts Cove Germanfest. Visitors are treated to local German food, heritage and genealogy. German singing and German Folk dancing performed by descendants from 8 to 80 years old are special attractions.

Entertainment

Experience A Variety of

Attractions & Entertainment

JOIN US AS WE SHARE OUR GERMAN HERITAGE WITH YOU!

Our festival has so much to offer anyone of any age.

Our two day festival has a schedule filled with local German folklore groups, children singers and authentic German Bands

Here is just a sample of the entertainment

available at the festival:

Alpenfest Band

Children Singing and Dancing

Germanfest Folklore Singers

Das Ist Lustig

Valina

Additional Activites/Attractions Include:

Folklore Presentations

Children's Activities

Antique Farm and Threshing Equipment

Blacksmith Demonstrations

German Heritage Muesum

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DSC06958.JPG
DSC06961.JPG
DSC06980.JPG
DSC07040.JPG
DSC07070.JPG
DSC07047.JPG
DSC02136.JPG
DSC02148.JPG
DSC02157.JPG

Schedule

Our 2012 Roberts Cove Germanfest

Schedule of Events

The Roberts Cove Germanfest Association works dilligently year round to ensure that our annual festival features entertainment and attractions for every member of your family.

As the festival nears, we will publish the 2012 Schedule of Events for our annual festival.

Please stay tuned to our website and our Facebook page for more information on our schedule of events.

We look forward to celebrating our German heritage with you at our 2012 Roberts Cove Germanfest!

Food and Drinks

Sample Our Large Selection of

Food and Drinks

DSC06969.jpg
DSC06992.jpg
DSC06975.jpg
DSC06967.JPG
DSC06970.JPG
DSC06963.jpg

Breakfast One of our famous attractions at our festival is our wide selection of homemade German foods.Here is just a sample of some of the menu itemsyou will find at our festival:Sampler Plate(Our Sampler Plate includes one link of German Sausage "wurst", German Potato Stew, Sauerkraut Potatoes and Wurst and a serving of German Apple Cobbler "Apfel Kuchen")Smoked Sausage or"Wurst"on a Bun or StickPotato StewSauerkraut, Potatos and WurstHot Dogs Regular or Sweet Potato FriesCake Funnels

Lunch Compliment any of your food selections with one of our homemade German desserts.Our deserts are sure to keep you coming back for more! We serve deserts that are made from homemade recipies that have been carried down from generations of decendents in Roberts Cove.Here is just a sample of our sweets that are available for purchase at the festival:Apfel Kuchen (German Apple Cobbler)Zucher Platzkens (German Sugar Cookies)Hot ChocolateBrowniesAnd much more!Our desserts are worth trying and are definately in high demand by festival goers!

Brunch Quinch your thirst at the Roberts Cove Germanfest though purchasing one of our bottled soft drinks, water or alcaholic beverages.Visit our "DRINK TENT" to purchase bottled soft drinks and water.Visit our "BEER TENT" to purchase German and domestic beer on tap.Not a beer fan? No worries... We have a selection of wines available for purchase as well under the "BEER TENT". You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase beer or wine under the "BEER TENT"Please drink responsibly!

Dessert Are you ready to sample our food and drinks?Before you can do so, please make note of the following:You must purchase tickets in order to purchase food or drinks at the festival.Tickets are $1 each and are available for purchase underneath the "BIG TENT" on the festival grounds.And remember, to purchase any alcaholic beverage, you MUST BE 21 years of age or older.Please Join Us and sample our extensive food and drink selection!