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 25 years “CARASSAUGA”
An idea that started 25 years ago with 10 pavilions -
has now grown to 31 pavilions - to become a premier Festival,
drawing thousands of visitors each year to pavilions across the
city. It is now the largest multicultural festival in Ontario,
and the second largest in Canada, thanks to the untiring efforts
of “Hurricane” Hazel McCallion, and a dedicated City Council and
Board of Directors.
Congratulatory messages had arrived from Prime Minister
Steven Harper and Ontario’s Premier Dalton McGuinty
and the illustrious Mayor of Mississauga Hazel McCallion’s
greetings say it very succinctly:
“As Canada’s sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to cultures
from around the world. Carassauga is an excellent example of how
the many cultural groups in Mississauga co-exist peacefully
together. This popular festival helps to strengthen
relationships and allows us to better understand our friends and
neighbors.” Cara is a Greek word that means friend – that is
where ‘Carassauga’ originated.
| As we entered the
Hansa Haus we met a few of the helping Hands |
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| ...and the
Gutweins already adding growth to the Club |
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 Of all the many pavilions, one that we are mainly interested in
was of course the German Pavilion at the Hansa Haus.
The theme this year was Oktoberfest
– something we all know – but what most of the visitors only had a nebulous idea
about.
 Now they all know better, thanks to the combined efforts of all
the club’s associate groups, such as Almrausch Folk Dance Group,
the Berliner Skat Club, the Carnival Society, the Bowlers, the
Hansa Choir, the Ladies and Men’s Auxiliary, the Weiss-Blau
Bayern Dance Group and their Junior Dance Group. Yes, the ‘bell
ringer’ was also there!
| The Harmonie
Brass Show Band |
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 Along with the traditional style of music by the fabulous
 Harmonie Brass Show Band and dance performances by the
Weiss-Blau Groups, great food – including ‘Pork Hocks’ and of
course Beer, especially the famous ‘Hacker-Pschorr’ on tap from
Munich, and the traditional ‘Beer Nuts, and many other displays a terrific atmosphere was created.
| The Family Area |
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...and the
Gingerbread Chalet |
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New this year was the Family Area that, in the latest
addition to the club, which featured a huge “Hexenhaus” – Hänsel
& Gretel type ‘Gingerbread Chalet’. It was eagerly explored,
inside and out, by the visiting small fry, it also featured
story telling and plays by a teacher from the German School, to
teach a few words of German. One of the kids asked where the
witch was – sorry, it was her day off!
For a small fee the children could also paint their own ceramic
pieces to take home.
 At the entrance to the club a display of accordions was
featured, with an accomplished accordion player to greet the
visitors. In the foyer was also a display of Heinz Hachenberg’s
collection of police paraphernalia from around the world. Great
stuff!
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| Beer nuts, one reason to
visit the Club |
Trachten, of course |
The great hall was tastefully decorated and featured long rows
of tables – similar to the “Hofbräuhaus” Schwemme or the huge
beer tents at the “Wiesn: in Munich.
 Upon checking, I found that, what most of the visitors ate, were
‘Bratwurst with Potato Salad and Sauerkraut’. Darauf “Ein Prosit
der Gemütlichkeit”, congratulations to the organizers for such a
wonderful representation of German culture and a “Happy
Anniversary” Carassauga!
As always
 Dick Altermann
P.S.: Another reason to be there: Who would want
to miss this?
| Announcing the
Weiss-Blau Bayern Juniors |
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| The ringing of the cow bells |
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| The dancing |
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| ...the enthusiasm |
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| ...the drama |
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