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Things To Do April 3, 2025 Article
Inaugural Springfest International event brings Euro culture to Casselberry
German American Society event will feature food, arts from Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine, more
Springfest is a family-friendly event complete with a bounce house. It runs throughout the afternoon and into the evening. (Courtesy German American Society of Central Florida)
By Amy Drew Thompson | amthompson@orlandosentinel.com | Orlando Sentinel
PUBLISHED: April 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM EDT
Oktoberfest is the biggie for the German American Society of Central Florida, but for years, they’ve been helping people make it through their schnitzel and pretzel and cravings with Springtoberfest. This year, they’re trying something new.
Sonnenschein Express will be among the entertainers at Springfest. The stage will be filled all day long with programming that represents a roster of different European nations. (Courtesy Sonnenschein Express)
The inaugural Springfest International, taking place from noon to 9 p.m. April 12 at the society’s clubhouse (381 Orange Lane in Casselberry), will feature not only all the German merriment fans are used to, but also food and cultural performances from a host of other countries.
“We wanted to differentiate from Oktoberfest,” says Maureen Agenbag, director of the German American Society of Central Florida.
Apple strudel will be among the lures at the International Springfest on April 12. (Courtesy German American Society of Central Florida)
“Orlando is diverse and we wanted our event to reflect that.”
As such, guests will enjoy the presence of the city’s Bulgarian, Romanian, Slovenian and Ukrainian communities. Georgia will be represented, too, along with a presence from the United Kingdom.
Agenbag says dressing up in the traditional clothing of your own culture is encouraged.
Euromusik Experience are favorites for Oktoberfest and will return for the springtime event. (Courtesy German American Society of Central Florida)
“Even if it’s not among those we’ll have participating,” she says, “It’s just more fun when everyone’s dressed up.”
The vibrant and exceedingly family-friendly event kicks off at noon with nonstop entertainment, a Kinder Korner with activities for kids and for adults: a lively German biergarten experience.
Prost! Enter the beer stein-holding contest and see if you can outlast the competition. (Courtesy German American Society of Central Florida)
Raise a stein of authentic German beer — you can also hold one for a stiff-armed competition to see who can outlast the group — and enjoy it alongside festival favorites including bratwurst, potato pancakes, apple strudel, black forest cake and that aforementioned schnitzel and pretzels. Other nations, too, will be represented on the menu, showcasing the fare of their homelands.
“The entertainment will be constant,” says Agenbag. “There’s always going to be something on the stage. We’ll have the typical German schuhplattler dancing, where performers slap their thighs, but also Bulgarian and Ukrainian dancers, a bagpiper, an Irish jig. There will also be an international dance group, too, representing other countries, which could be Italian, Polish, Hungarian and/or Greek.
Fresh, hot pretzels with mustard are a must at any German cultural event. (Courtesy German American Society of Central Florida)
“We’re looking to expose Central Floridians to the various and beautiful cultures of the European world, in particular those that aren’t as prevalent in Orlando as some other cities.”
Hopefully, there’ll be spring weather to match the multicultural merriment on deck for the German American Society of Central Florida’s first-ever International Springfest. (Courtesy German American Society of Central Florida)
Tickets are $7 in advance on Eventbrite (eventbrite.com/e/springfest-international-saturday-april-12-2025-tickets-1147037874159), $10 at the gate. Children ages 11 and younger will be admitted free. For more information, visit orlandogermanclub.com/springfest.
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.