[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12091]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       SALUTING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALPENFEST IN GAYLORD, MI

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                           HON. DAN BENISHEK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2014

  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I wish to salute the city of Gaylord, 
Michigan, on the occasion of the 50th Alpenfest this year. Since 1964, 
the Alpenfest has celebrated the city of Gaylord, its connection with 
the particle board industry, and the heritage of many of the region's 
residents.
  The first Alpenfest (then called the Alpine Festival) was formulated 
in 1964, with the imminent location of a U.S. Plywood particle board 
plant in 1965. To celebrate this occasion, as well as complete a goal 
of establishing an alpine look for Gaylord, the inaugural festival was 
set for July 5 through July 10 of 1965. The festival was a great 
success despite no dedicated source of funding and the need to dress 
the town and the residents with alpine garb to complete the aesthetic 
for the festival.
  The Chamber of Commerce, along with many local businesses, civic 
associations, and citizens help to make this event possible every year. 
In addition to the transformation of Main Street in Gaylord, numerous 
activities are enjoyed by all during the week, including the 
Alpenstrausse arts and crafts market, a carnival, the crowning of the 
Alpenfest queen, activities for children, and the ``World's Largest 
Coffee Break.'' This festival is one of the highlights of summer in 
Otsego County and Northern Michigan as a whole.
  As a final note, I wish to invite all Members of this body and all 
Americans to come to Northern Michigan and experience the natural 
beauty, great events such as Alpenfest, and friendly hospitality that 
make my home state one of the best places in the country to visit.

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