Gaylord Alpenfest

Gaylord Alpenfest Gaylord Alpenfest July 14-18, 2026

05/29/2026

Looking for a fun way to be part of Alpenfest? Lace up your running shoes and join the Alpenfest Run. 🏃

This event is a great way to start the day before the festival festivities continue. Whether you are running for time or just enjoying a walk on the trail, there is a race for everyone.

Events
1 Mile Fun Run or Walk. Free
5K Run or Walk. $35
10K Run. $45

The race takes place on the North Central State Trail, starting at the Ga***rd Trailhead on Main Street. The course is an out-and-back route and a beautiful way to experience the trail.

T-shirts and medals are guaranteed for the first 300 paid registrants, so be sure to register soon.

Sign up at https://www.gaylordalpenfest.com/ and get ready to hit the trail. 🏃‍♀️

Calling all pet lovers. 🐾Get ready for the Alpenfest Pet Parade on Friday, July 17, 2026, under the Pavilion. Dress up y...
05/28/2026

Calling all pet lovers. 🐾

Get ready for the Alpenfest Pet Parade on Friday, July 17, 2026, under the Pavilion. Dress up your furry friends, show off their personalities, and join us for one of the cutest Alpenfest traditions.

Schedule of Events
🐾 11:00 am. Registration and judging
🐾 11:30 am. Parade begins
🐾 12:00 pm. Time for pets to head back to their happy homes

A huge thank you to Green Valley Kennels for sponsoring this fun community event.

Who is planning to bring their pet to the parade this year? 🐶

If you have never been to Alpenfest, you might be wondering what the Burning of the Böögg is all about.These historic ph...
05/27/2026

If you have never been to Alpenfest, you might be wondering what the Burning of the Böögg is all about.

These historic photos, shared courtesy of the Otsego County Historical Museum, capture one of the festival's most unique traditions.

The custom began in Zürich, Switzerland. Each spring, a snowman made of wood is built, and its head is filled with fireworks. When it is set on fire, people watch closely because tradition says the faster the head explodes, the warmer and nicer the upcoming summer will be. It is a celebration marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

In Ga***rd, the tradition was adopted and given its own special meaning as part of Alpenfest. Instead of predicting the weather, it represents letting go of worries. Community members write their concerns or problems on paper and place them inside the snowman.

When the Böögg is lit, those worries symbolically disappear with the flames, helping kick off Alpenfest with a sense of renewal, celebration, and community spirit.

Today, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.Memorial Da...
05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on their sacrifice, spend time with loved ones, and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy because of those who served. We are grateful for their courage and for the families who carry their legacy.

From all of us, we wish you a meaningful Memorial Day as we remember and honor those who gave everything.

A huge thank you to all of our Alpenfest sponsors for helping make this incredible tradition possible. 💙Events like Alpe...
05/21/2026

A huge thank you to all of our Alpenfest sponsors for helping make this incredible tradition possible. 💙

Events like Alpenfest do not happen without the generous support of businesses and organizations that believe in community, tradition, and bringing people together. Because of our sponsors, we are able to create the amazing Alpenfest experience so many look forward to each year.

Want to be part of the magic? We still have sponsorship opportunities available and would love your support.

Learn more here: https://www.gaylordalpenfest.com/sponsorship-opportunities

Thank you to everyone who helps keep the Alpenfest tradition going strong.

Congratulations to our 2026 Alpenfest award recipients. 🏆These honors recognize the incredible businesses and individual...
05/20/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Alpenfest award recipients. 🏆

These honors recognize the incredible businesses and individuals who have made a meaningful impact on our community and helped carry forward the spirit and traditions of Alpenfest.

2026 Award Recipients:

Der Bürgermeister: Dana Bensinger
DAR Award: Anthony (Tony) Bernardyn
Edelweiss Award: Kirk Miller
Parade Marshal: Brian Pearson
Alpenfest Legacy Award: Robert Schlang
Honored Industry: 7 Eleven

Please join us in celebrating these deserving recipients at the Alpenfest Honors Luncheon on Tuesday, July 14.

Want to attend? Register today at gaylordalpenfest.com.

Help us congratulate this incredible group in the comments. 👏

Join us for lunch as we celebrate and honor the 2026 Alpenfest award recipients. 🏆Help us recognize this year’s Der Buer...
05/20/2026

Join us for lunch as we celebrate and honor the 2026 Alpenfest award recipients. 🏆

Help us recognize this year’s Der Buergermeister, Parade Marshal, Edelweiss Award, DAR Award, Alpenfest Legacy Award, and Honored Industry recipients for their contributions to our community and the Alpenfest tradition.

The Menu is DELICIOUS!!

Main Lunch:
BBQ Chicken
German Potato Salad
Tossed Garden Salad
Rolls and Butter

Vegetarian Option:
Vegetarian Lasagna
German Potato Salad
Tossed Garden Salad
Rolls and Butter

A special thank you to BJ's Catering & Event Center for catering the Honors Luncheon and supporting Ga***rd Alpenfest.

Seats are limited, so register today at gaylordalpenfest.com

The 2026 Alpenfest live music lineup is here. 🎶Get ready for an incredible week of music under the Ga***rd Pavilion feat...
05/19/2026

The 2026 Alpenfest live music lineup is here. 🎶

Get ready for an incredible week of music under the Ga***rd Pavilion featuring:

🎤 Alpenfest Live Music: Epic Eagles
🎺 Alpenfest Live Music: Fröhliche Polka Band
🎸 Alpenfest Live Music: Mallrats
🎶 Alpenfest Live Music: Drew Hale
🕺 Alpenfest Live Music: Mega 80s
🎤 Alpenfest Live Music: Attaboy

From classic favorites to high-energy dance hits, this year’s lineup has something for everyone.

For performance dates and times, visit https://www.gaylordalpenfest.com/

Tag a friend you are bringing to dance, sing along, and enjoy the music with. 🎵

A look back at where it all began.These historic photos, courtesy of the Otsego County Historical Museum , capture the ...
05/18/2026

A look back at where it all began.

These historic photos, courtesy of the Otsego County Historical Museum , capture the very first Alpenfest in Ga***rd on July 5, 1965, when the celebration was known as The Alpine Festival.

At the time, U.S. Plywood was constructing a particle board plant in Ga***rd. The process used to create the product had been developed and patented by Swiss businessman Fred Fahrni. The new plant brought jobs to the area and created a strong market for aspen and pine, the materials used to produce Novaply.

Community members quickly embraced the moment and organized a festival to celebrate the region’s growing connection to Swiss heritage. Local groups made Alpine hats, dirndls, and festival pins, while businesses decorated their storefronts with Swiss-style displays to welcome visitors.

The community spirit that launched The Alpine Festival in 1965 is the same spirit that keeps Alpenfest going today.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Saturday’s Alpen Car Fest. What an incredible day with close to 100 amazing vehi...
05/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Saturday’s Alpen Car Fest.

What an incredible day with close to 100 amazing vehicles, hundreds of visitors, and the support of so many wonderful sponsors who helped make the event possible. From classic rides to custom builds, it was a fantastic day of community, cars, and fun.

A huge thank you also goes to our amazing volunteers, Alpenfest Committee members, the Alpenfest Queen, the first and second runners-up from the Queens Court, and the Department of Public Works for their help with stage setup and barricades. Events like this truly take a team, and we are so grateful for everyone who pitched in to make the day such a success.

Congratulations to all of our winners.

🏆 Sponsors Choice: Bernard Pete from Sandusky, MI, with a 1968 Oldsmobile 442
🏆 Kids Choice: Ron Wight from Grand, MI with a 2010 Chevy Camaro 255
🏆 Most Modified: 1930 Ford Model A Rat Rod
🏆 Best in Show: 1939 Chevy Master Coupe from Ga***rd, M

A special thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible.

Ga***rd Michigan Tourism Bureau
Otsego County Sportsplex
Black Diamond Broadcasting
Totten's Body Shop
Northern Performance Motorcycles
Chic Happens
Jets Pizza
Starbucks
C Willys Cookies

All proceeds from Saturday’s event benefited the Ga***rd Car Restoration.

Thank you for helping make this such a memorable event. 🚘

Address

P. O. Box 513
Gaylord, MI
49734

Telephone

+19897326333

Website

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