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Georgia Salzburger Society to celebrate 100th anniversary with Heritage Day Festival

The Georgia Salzburger Society is gearing up to commemorate a major milestone: its 100th Annual Heritage Day Festival. The event, a celebration of history, community, and culture, will take place in Rincon, Georgia, on September 1, 2025.
Special to Grice Connect
georgia-salzburger-soceity-100th-anniversary
The Georgia Salzburger Society's 100th Anniversary

The Georgia Salzburger Society will celebrate a major milestone this year as it hosts its 100th Annual Heritage Day Festival on Monday, September 1, 2025. The festival will take place at Ebenezer in Rincon from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., capping off a weekend full of commemorative activities that highlight the history, legacy, and community spirit of the Salzburgers.

The festival weekend officially begins on Friday, August 29, with events scheduled each day leading up to Monday’s main program.

Friday, August 29

  1. Centennial Banquet at New Ebenezer Retreat Center – 6:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
      – Reservations are required and due by August 15. Cost is $25 per person.

Saturday, August 30

  1. German-Salzburger Connections Sightseeing in Savannah – Participants will gather at the Pirates' House at 9:30 a.m. RSVP required by August 22.

  2. Treutlen Family & Historical Research Workshop – 3:00 p.m. at the GSS Parsonage in Ebenezer.

Sunday, August 31

  1. Worship service – 11:00 a.m. at Jerusalem Lutheran Church

  2. Luncheon – 12:30 p.m. in the JLC Social Hall

  3. International presentation by Dr. Jürgen Gröschl – 1:30 p.m.

  4. Gospel performance by local group “The Journeymen” – 3:00 p.m. at JLC

  5. Reception – immediately following the concert in the JLC Social Hall

  6. Special screening of “500 Years in the Making” – 5:00 p.m.
      – A documentary chronicling the Salzburgers' journey, resilience, and lasting impact.

Monday, September 1 – Festival Day

  1. Festival begins at 10:00 a.m. at Ebenezer and concludes at 3:00 p.m.

  2. Heritage Day Program – starts at 11:00 a.m. in the church

  3. Announcement of Hinely Salzburger Heritage Scholarship Poster Contest winners – at the conclusion of the program

  4. Lunch – served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Georgia Salzburger Society Museum and Loest Research Library will also offer special hours throughout the weekend:

  • Saturday, Aug. 30: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  • Sunday, Aug. 31: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

  • Monday, Sept. 1: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Loest Library will be closed during the program)

This year’s featured speaker is Mrs. Friederike Lippold, the International Communication and Event Coordinator for the Francke Foundations in Halle, Germany. Her presentation will focus on the enduring partnership between the Georgia Salzburger Society and the Francke Foundations.

mrs-friederike-lippold
Mrs. Friederike Lippold

The festival will also feature local vendors, artisans, authors, and musicians, providing a rich and engaging cultural experience for attendees of all ages.

For more information, visit govisitebenezer.com, call (912) 754-7001, or follow the Georgia Salzburger Society on Facebook (@VisitEbenezer) and Instagram (@georgiasalzburgersociety).