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Volkslaufe traditions continue into the fifth decade

  Founded back in 1976, the Frankenmuth Jaycees will be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Volkslaufe, or “Peoples Race” over the long Independence Day weekend.

  The two-day event is set for Thursday and Friday, July 3-4, with all activities originating in Heritage Park.

  Olivia Howard is the 2025 Volkslaufe chairperson, with Skylar Ley the co-chair. They have been very active with their committee, as well as two of the race founders, Bill Hart and his wife Janette.

  "For five generations, the Volkslaufe has brought together runners and walkers from all walks of life, making it far more than a race . . . it is a cherished community tradition,” Howard said.

  The Volkslaufe embraces the spirit of family, friendship, and fitness, inviting participants to a fun and meaningful celebration.

  The Volkslaufe Eve activities get the event started in Heritage Park. Race packet pickup will take place inside the Harvey Kern Community Pavilion 5-9pm, however, the park will be teeming with people well after 10pm. The park will host live entertainment, food vendors, a community marketplace, family-friendly activities, music, and other events.

  The line up includes the Frankenmuth Lions Club offering hot dog and bratwurst-style meals from their Lion Haus July 3 and their pancake breakfast on the race day morning. Beer and other beverages will be poured by the Jaycee exhausted roosters.

  "Back this year is the ability for our beer stein winners to fill up the receptacles with beer at our bar, from the tap,” Howard noted.

  At 10pm, the fireworks display takes, with the booms and blasts originating from the Heritage Park ball fields.

  Race Day, Friday July 4, the park opens at 6am for race packet pickup, 6-9:45am. The 10K race will start at 7am, followed by the half-marathon at 7:15am. The 5K run commences at 9am, with the 5K walk at 9:05am. Jon Genow’s miniature cannons will signal the beginning of the races.

  The Frankentrost Band returns to play in the Jaycee Pavilion, 8am until 11am or noon.

  The 2K Fun Run, a shorter route filled with the same high spirits and cheers of the longer races, will take off at 10am. The route is Weiss Street, from Fernreich Drive to a point close to the front entrance of the Bavarian Inn Lodge, and turning around and heading back into Heritage Park. .....

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