Hurricane Ian hit everyone in Southwest Florida extremely hard, including the German American Social Club in Cape Coral. Oktoberfest had to be canceled in 2022. A decision of such magnitude is always a very difficult one to make for the club, which has been a staple in the Cape Coral community now for 59 years. With damage to its grounds and buildings, opening the event proved impossible. In fact, with permitting issues moving at an, understandably, slow pace, the club was unable to re-open its doors until early January 2023.
However, the members of the club are insistent on making things work and bringing club events back to life with a roar. It’s Karneval Season, the fifth season of jesters, fools, a Prince, and a Princess, which usually begins on Nov. 11 at 11:11 a.m. was postponed until just this weekend. At a formal affair, the club held its Coronation Ball on Feb. 18, crowning Prince Erich I and Princess Rebecca I, a brother and sister team. The annual Maskenball, this year a Star Wars-themed masquerade event, will be held on March 18 and the season will come to a Grande Finale at its Prinzenball on April 22, celebrating the Prince and Princesses of this and former seasons. Cape Coral Helau and Alaaf!
This coming Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25 and 26, the Southwest Florida community is invited to join festivities in the Bavarian Gardens, where the club is planning to make up for lost time last October. Delicious aromas will fill the air with food options ranging from brats, schnitzel sandwiches, and Apfelstrudel, while sit-down dinners with a choice of Sauerbraten or Schnitzel will be served in the Von Steuben Hall. The Gardens will feature traditional German music with the Manni Daum Trio and Hafenkapelle, while on Saturday night, Deb & the Dynamics will bring the house down until 10 pm.
Tickets are $5 and parking is free, as are children ages 12 and under!
Moving into March, Southwest Florida can continue the party at the St. Patrick’s Biergartenfest on March 11 and 12 which will feature Guinness, corned beef, shepherd’s pie, bangers, fish & chips as well as alternating Irish and German musicians and another Biergartenfest on March 25 and 26. The final event before the summer break is then scheduled for the weekend of April 15 and 16.
Of course, the club opens its doors to members and the public for dinner and dancing every Friday night at 5:30 p.m. The German American social Club is located at 2101 SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. For more info, visit http://www.gasc-capecoral.com/
