Original story, 12:57 p.m. Jan. 6
The chief organizer of one of the Dayton area’s oldest German festival says his club will not change their event’s date just because a competing festival will be held those same days.
“Its been our date for more than 30 years, so why should we change,” said John Koerner, longtime chairman of the GermanFest Picnic. “I am not going to let Carillon Park decide when we should have our events.”
As we first reported yesterday, Dayton History, the non-profit organization that operates Carillon Park and several other historical sites, cut ties with the Liederkranz-Turner organization by saying the German club's 34th annual Germanfest Picnic would not be held at Carillon Park.
That festival was planned for Aug. 11 to 13.
Instead, Dayton History will hold its own 10-day German heritage festival Aug. 11 to 20 at the park located at 1000 Carillon Blvd. in Dayton.
>> MORE: Carillon Park to no longer host GermanFest Picnic
Koerner said yesterday he was shocked by news of the new festival.
Today he says the Liederkranz-Turner is exploring its options and hopes to secure a location for GermanFest Picnic for its original August dates.
He said GermanFest has always been held that weekend.
Dayton’s large, long-time festivals have unspoken agreements about when summer weekend events are held each year, Koerner said.
The date had long been promoted on the GermanFest Picnic website.
Brady Kress, Dayton History's president and CEO, said yesterday that the relationship with GermanFest was ended for economic reasons.
He said Dayton History could not justify subsidizing other groups and their events to the detriment of itself and when it has its own needs.
He said Dayton History lost money by hosting GermanFest.
A follow-up message was left today for Kress.
Koerner said he is working with the Downtown Dayton Partnership to find new possible locations for the festival. He said he hopes GermanFest will be held at a central location.
“I’d like to be downtown somewhere or near,” he said.
The 400-member German club located at 1400 E. Fifth Street in Dayton will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, Jan. 8. The future of the GermanFest will be among issues discussed.
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