This is the premier festival celebrating Bavarian culture in North America. Dancing is featured, through exhibitions of historic dances and participation dances encouraging all to join in and learn.  The Gaufest includes traditional folk dancing by member societies, groups and individuals, workshops, and traditional folk music. Over four days, dancing participation is encouraged in performances of historic dances at the festival’s main events, learning at workshops, and general dancing to German American bands. The bands include Bernie’s Orchestra, Die Spitzbuam, Die Heimatklaenge, the Austrian Boys; and the Gau Kapelle, a group made up of musicians from the various German organizations across the country and many solo musicians.

Workshops and demonstrations cover various facets of Bavarian culture: folk dance workshop, workshop for traditional costumes and hairstyles; workshop instructions on musical instruments such as hackbrett, alp horn, alpine cowbells, spoons, accordion and button box taught by various expert musicians; traditional songs; and workshops for engaging youth in dancing and carrying on traditions.

There is also a Kinderzimmer – children’s activity room – which is organized by Diane Meck, the children’s leader of the Gauverband, who has run many Kinder events for the Mid Atlantic German children.  Activities include participation in singing, dancing, and crafts.

Another event is the Bauernmesse, a traditional Bavarian church service in the German language in musical form, with an adult choir, children’s choir, and musicians from the U.S., Canada and Germany.

Added areas promote cultural exchange: A) A Trachtenmarkt with craftsmen and vendors selling ethnic items and costumes; B) Library and museum areas with dance instructions, music and costumes of Bavaria and historic items from past Gaufests; C) Folk music room where musicians gather from across the country to share and learn folk and dance music and play traditional instruments; D) A children and youth room to provide activities aimed at those under 18 including instruction on German dance, language, song and crafts.

Gaufest includes events attended by all: Thursday Welcome Dance with ethnic music and exhibition performances; Friday cultural evening with various performances of musical instruments, singing, and folk dances native to Germany; Saturday Fest evening with a colorful parade of the flags of attending societies; national anthems of Austria, Germany, Canada and the United States, and dance performances; and Sunday Festtag, an afternoon event with a parade of flags and more dance exhibitions.