Written by: Albert Terc
Photos by: Albert Terc
The first leg of the parade weekend began with lots of anticipation with the start of the 66th annual German-American Steuben Parade along 5th Avenue. The parade celebrates the many contributions Germans have made to the country and to the great city of New York. Homage was made to the great Prussian General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, who was appointed by George Washington as the Continental Army general inspector. Under his leadership, the ragtag army was built into a professional army and helped win the Revolutionary War. All marchers stopped by the reviewing stand on 78th Street where they were given the red carpet treatment and greeted by the parade announcers.
The Steuben Parade organizers invited special guests from Germany to march in the event. Civil servants from Germany and NYC got to march together as a sign of unity. This years Grand Marshall has specific ties to NYC. Thomas von Essen was the 29th Commissioner of the FDNY and was in that post during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He personally was part of several rescue groups during that tragic time. Steuben Parade veterans always look forward to the German marching bands that play upbeat tunes with remarkable costumes. One of the more notable bands was the Fanfarenund Trommlerzug Bretten 1504. They had colorful costumes and played a happy tune. A more flute based band were the Trommlercorp 1950 Kirchborchen. One of the more playful bands with an energetic drumline and funny shoes were the Drafganger Guggis.
This year, the parade celebrated the 140th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge which was helped built by German engineer John Roebling and his family. A young marcher from one of the German language school floats was giving away goodies to parade revelers and I asked her for a gift and she reached into her goodie bag and gave me a Brooklyn Bridge refrigerator magnet. I told her she gave it to the right guy and I showed her my Brooklyn Bridge tattoo on my arm. She smiled and said yes, you’re the right one.
Many groups from all parts of NY, New Jersey and Connecticut participated in the grand event. Several beer floats were spotted trying to bounce the floats up and down. They were having a great time and I bet they were looking forward to the Oktoberfest in Central Park for some beer and brats. All in all it was a great time and still the most polite parade in all NYC with the exception of a yodel here and there.
NYC Parade Life 