September 2001 - Nr. 9
Magic at the Steuben Parade
Siegfried
and Roy, Las Vegas’ Magical Duo - world-famous for their white lions and
white tigers – have been chosen as "Grand Marshals" for this
year’s 44th Steuben Parade in New York. Parade Chair William
Hetzler announced that earlier this year.
Prominent leaders from New York and Germany will join Siegfried and Roy as they lead the colourful and largest German-American parade up Fifth Avenue, from 63rd to 86th Streets, along Central Park, on September 22, 2001.
"We are honoured to be part of this event that celebrates our German heritage," said Roy. "Though Las Vegas has been our home for more than 30 years, we have maintained contact with our family and friends in Germany and visit whenever we can."
"This parade is a great celebration of both the rich history of German-Americans dating back to revolutionary times, and of contemporary German-Americans of great achievement," added William Hetzler. "Siegfried and Roy bring a new level of excitement to an already dazzling event. This promises to be the best parade ever."
"We are delighted that we have been able to arrange our schedule to participate in such a prestigious event," added Siegfried. "We look forward to visiting New York and meeting the people that have made this great parade possible."
In addition to their record-breaking 11-year run at The Mirage in Las Vegas, Siegfried and Roy have been honoured for their commitment to animal rights and conservation. More than 20 years ago they began their quest to save the Royal White Tiger from extinction. And, due to their success with the White Tiger, six years ago the Johannesburg Zoological Society and South African government approached them to do the same for the Magical White Lion. At the time there were less than 10 of the magnificent creatures in captivity and none in the wild. Today, thanks to their efforts, there are more than 30. Siegfried & Roy are proud to say that 23 of them comprise their four continent conservation effort, including a third generation of four cubs born at the Cincinnati Zoo on April 1.
Since its inception in 1958, the German-American Steuben Parade has become one of New York’s top tourist attractions, and largest parades. Several Carnival Societies and heritage groups from Canada have also participated in some of the parades in past years.
Named after General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, and organized to provide the German-American community with the opportunity to celebrate its rich heritage, the parade provides all Americans with a strong and exciting visual picture of the important role German-Americans have played in American history. German-Americans comprise the largest ethnic group in the nation, according to United States Census reports.
In
addition a "Miss German-America" was selected in May as Parade
Queen. She is Miss Nancy Schatz (23) from Rego Park, Queens, N.Y. and, after
absolving the Police Academy is now working with the NYPD.
Two "Princesses", Miss Jessica Bockhorn (19) from Bethlehem N.J. and Miss Kirsten L. Schiffer from Lindenhurst, N.Y. will be at her side as well as two "Junior Princesses", Kirsten Hildreth (9) and Alyssa Hugel (8).
The next events are scheduled for September 21, 2002, September 20, 2003 and September 18, 2004. This is your chance to plan ahead.
If you would like more information and lots of pictures from recent parades go the their website at www.gasp-ny.org and learn about the hundreds of German- American organizations in the U.S.A.
Change Notice: Instead of the Steuben Parade this year there was a service held at the St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.
