By Susan Monteleone
YULAN — September 30, 2003 – It is a day like no other, where everyone – no matter what the age or heritage – is German for the day.
For the thirteenth time, that day arrived in Yulan Saturday.
And this year, the Annual Von Steuben Day Parade and Festival, hosted by the Yulan Fire Department, drew more than 2,000 people.
“It is a day that you are German, no matter what, and it is truly a community and family event,” said Yulan Fire Department Chief Daryl Barnes. “We are currently in our 13th year, and with every year, it grows bigger and bigger. We have craft vendors, amusement rides and games, as well as the famous German food from our local and nearby restaurants. Today is really community-driven, and it is a very well-deserved day for all.”
County Court Judge Frank LaBuda was at this year’s event and praised it highly.
“This is a great parade, and every year, it just keeps getting bigger and better. Everyone is German for the day, and I wish everyone viel glecht, which in German means ‘good luck,’” stated LaBuda.
Also on hand was one of the organizers of the event, Fred Reber.
“Everything ran very well today, and we have had a huge turnout and lots of different types of events, vendors and food. I truly feel this year’s event is one of our biggest ever,” stated Reber.
A featured attraction was the King and Queen, who were Ray Walter and Jennifer Sparrer. And there was a Miss Germany: Adriana LiGreci.
Von Steuben Day was started in honor of Revolutionary War drillmaster Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus Von Steuben, and the tributes to Germany were numerous: the German-American Club from Port Jervis, as well as the German-American clubs from Lake Wallenpaupack, Middletown and Hawley, Pa. all made that a priority.
Playing in the parade, as well as entertaining the crowd at the German Festival on the Yulan Firemen’s Field, was the Bavarian Musik Vereen, a 20-member band from Binghamton which specializes in brass band music. And the Schuplatter Folk Dancers proudly danced under the pavilion to entertain the wall-to-wall crowd.
Before the day ended, trophies were given to parade participants.
• Most Original Float: First – Valenti Slinger, Second – The First National Bank of Jeffersonville, and Third – the Highland Democrats.
• Best Float: First – The German-American Club of Lake Wallenpaupack, Second – A and J Maintenance and Third – the Bisland Agency.