'Food, music, dancing, culture': German Fest is ready for 41st year

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Summer fun continues with the 41st annual German Fest.

"We celebrate with food, music, dancing and culture," German Fest President Eric Radue said on Thursday.

The festival opens at 3 p.m. on Friday and goes until Sunday at the Summerfest Grounds in Downtown Milwaukee. There is some rain in the forecast for Friday, but organizers are prepared.

"We do have two fully covered stages as well as covered bars and some covered areas," Radue said.

The event celebrates all things German.

"We celebrate German culture from Austria, Germany and Switzerland, as well as Germans who have gone to other countries," Radue said. "Knowing that even though we may speak different languages on a daily basis, we can still come together with some shared ideas and shared traditions."

Organizers expect 65K people to attend this year.

"[Attendees] can expect commandery with everyone around, great culture, and also, as we like to say, Gemütlichkeit. That means essentially the feeling of belonging in a cozy place," Radue explained.

Tickets are $15 online, $18 at the gate, $7 for seniors 60+ and students with a valid school I.D. Tickets for Friday are $5 and three-day passes are available online for $30. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult.

For more information on hours and tickets, visit their website.