Click here for pictures of Karneval 2008!

On Saturday evening, February 2nd German-Americans from all around the Monroe County region will don festive costumes and come together to celebrate Karneval, continuing an ancient tradition brought to our area by German settlers many years ago.

This colorful event, open to the public, will take place at St. Mary's Ukrainian Church Hall, 3176 St. Paul Boulevard, beginning 6:00 PM.

Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door.

In keeping with centuries-old tradition, Rochester's Karneval includes lively continental music, dancing, costumes, raffles, contests, and of course, the political satire and general foolishness that marks any good German Karneval.

Dating back into antiquity during the days of absolute monarchy, one of the important historical features of German Karneval tradition has been its political satire, led by the Prince and Princess of Fools.

Music this year will be provided by the popular Alpine quartet, "Die lustigen Almdudler."

Traditional German food and drink from Swan's Delikatessen, always a hit at Rochester's Karneval, will be available throughout the evening.

The reigning 2007 Prince and Princess of Fools, Prinz Tom Weisenburg of Henrietta, and Prinzessin Ute Amberg of Amberg Wineries in Clifton Springs, will pass the crowns and scepter to the new royalty, gardener Eddy Hundt of Brockport, and special education teacher Frau ("Linda") Braun of Macedon. The new Royal Prince and Princess of Fools will then deliver their Royal proclamation, solving all the worlds political ills and commanding all present to let loose in true foolish German Karneval style.

Rochester's annual Karneval is sponsored by the non-profit German Cultural Center of the Rochester Federation of German-American Societies, umbrella group for the twelve active German societies in the Greater Rochester area.

German Federation President Glenn Call, explains that the word Karneval, derives from the Latin "carne," meaning 'meat' and "vale," meaning 'farewell.' It's the German equivalent of the New Orleans Mardi-Gras, the Carnevale di Venezia and the Carnaval in Rio - the last big blow-out before the forty days of Lent.

And a big blow out it is! "Karneval is one of Europe's all-time great whing-dings," says Call, "For hundreds of miles all up and down the mighty Rhine river, from Köln (Cologne) in the north down through Switzerland and on through Austria into Vienna, it's an outrageous wild party for the last days before Ash Wednesday - and if I do say so myself, the Rochester German community has always done it up in grand style!"

The Federation of German American Societies of Rochester New York is an umbrella organization of 12 different local clubs. The Federation helps the member clubs preserve and enjoy the traditions of the German-speaking cultures. The member clubs include a sports club, choirs, folk-dancing groups, and even an old German insurance society. Many of these clubs are over 100 years old.

Rochester is steeped in German culture. Many of the settlers and immigrants that populated Rochester through the 19th and 20th centuries came from German-speaking cultures. A quick look at company names (Bausch and Lomb, Ellwanger and Barry) show the entrepreneurialism of these German immigrants. Skilled German workers provided the basis for the high skill, technical, workforce that Rochester still employs. A quick look at street and neighborhood names reminds us of where these people lived.