Author: Heidi Charters

Day at the Races

*SOLD OUT* Join Deutsches Haus  at the New Orleans Fair Grounds for a Day of Horse Racing and Wiener Dog Races!

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Annual fundraiser for Deutsches Haus
Sit in the Phoenix Room  and enjoy a private Buffet.

Doors open at 11;30 am. Food served from noon to 2pm.
First Race at 12:30pm.

$45.00 PER PERSON (member), $50 (non-member)
Price includes admission, race program, and lunch buffet with tea. Cash Bar available.

Payment can be made via Eventbrite (link here) . Reservations can be made via email at knoldendorf@yahoo.com .   Pick up your wrist band at the Fairgrounds Will Call on the day of the event.

German Christmas Traditions

Did you know that you can thank Germany (not Hallmark) for bringing some traditions to Christmas as we know it?

Christmas Tree – The Germans started the tradition of decorating the Tannenbaum originally with fruits and trinkets, and then wax candles. We have come a long way creatively since when it comes to holiday tree decorating!

Gingerbread Houses – based on a holiday tradition in German Opera houses to build miniature replicas of the gingerbread story from Hansel and Gretel that spread to bakeries.

Nutcrackers – the Nutcracker was the hero of an early 19th-century story by Berlin’s E.T.A. Hoffman, which was later adapted for the famous Russian ballet. Carving of the actual nutcracker figures began in rural Germany and was known for its incredible detail and artistry.

Advent Calendar – at the beginning of the 19th century, the Advent calendar started as a written way to count down the days until Christmas. Gerhard Lang eventually started printing Advent calendars and later added little doors to reveal the date or the scripture.

Deutsches Haus will be celebrating the holidays with events that will bring German traditions to the banks of Bayou St. John.