HAVE GERMAN WILL TRAVEL FEST STEUBEN PARADE IN AMERIKA New York/ Philadelphia/ Chicagoo Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (den 17. September 1730 bis den 28. November 1794) Every year the German-American Steuben Parade is led by cadets representing the German Language Club of the Military Academy of West Point, which was founded by General von Steuben. However, it is not a parade in the military tradition. The rest of the about three-hour-long parade is dominated by traditional German brass music groups and marching bands, by clubs and organization wearing traditional German Tracht, as well as by carnival groups, marksmen or representatives of other traditions. For many years, the parade has had a strong Bavarian theme, dominated by men wearing Lederhosen, women in Dirndl and groups dancing the A German Guggenmusik band traditional Schuhplattler. Recently though, the parade opened up to performs at the Steuben Parade in represent more German themes. New York Grand Marshal and Guest of Honor Every year, the German-American Steuben Parade is led by one or more Grand Marshals, who are either American citizens with a German background or German citizens with a distinct relationship to America. The Grand Marshals in 2009 were Congressman Michael McMahon, Fox 5 TV reporter Linda Schmidt, A&P Chairman Christian Haub, and Parade Co-founder Ted Dengler. In previous years, Grand Marshals included Hollywood star Ralf Moller, NYSE CEO Duncan Niederauer and Col. Gail Halvorsen, the "Candy-Bomber" from the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift. · In 2007, celebrating the 50th Anniversary German-American Steuben Parade, the Grand Marshal was former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, who was born in the Franconia region of Bavaria in Germany. The Guest of Honor was Dr. Klaus Scharioth, the German Ambassador to the United States. Also invited was former German chancellor Helmut Kohl, who is known to have a deep personal friendship towards America. Over the years the Steuben Parade has been Jed by many distinguished Germans and Americans. Former Grand Marshals include Donald Trump, Siegfried & Roy, George Steinbrenner, Carol Alt, Eric Braeden, John Roland, Louis Freeh, Norbert Schramm. Several Mayors ofNew York City of non-German background have also led the parade, including Michael Bloomberg, Rudolph Giuliani, and George Pataki. - Among the Guests of Honor have been three German presidents: Walter Scheel, Richard von Weizsacker and Johannes Rau, as well as other dignitaries from the political and economic fields, including state prime Parade events ministers Erwin Teufel, Kurt Biedenkopf and Bernhard Vogel. While the German-American Steuben Parade itself is held on the third Saturday in September, starting at noon, there are other festivities all weekend. Usually, up to 35 music and costume groups from overseas are greeted at City Hall Park on the Friday preceding the parade. On the eve of the parade a gala benefit banquet takes place as a fundraiser for the parade. .