October 1 & 2, 2005
Excitement under the tent was growing as it filled. People overflowed into the rain outside and umbrellas popped open, most grey like the day, others colourful like you might see on the beach. The Concordia Brass Band played the Canadian anthem. They played the German anthem and the German flag was raised at Saskatoon City Hall. It was a cultural event of the first order, an unprecedented success. It was also raining, but nobody cared, because it was Saskatoon German Days 2005, the first since 1932 and the pioneer women of Saskatchewan, especially those of German backgrounds, were about to be honoured.
Ceremony and celebration represent the outer form of German Days. Held October 1 in front of City Hall and October 2 at the German Canadian Club Concordia, Saskatoon German Days represents a breakthrough, a major centennial achievement that will become an annual highlight on Saskatoon's lively cultural agenda. The stakes were large. After all, German Days are about the image, perception, reputation, respect and achievement of German-Canadians. These sensitive matters of wide public concern had been bottled up for 73 years. German Days boldly brought them back to the public square, the positive results exceeded all expectations.
- Dr. Brian McKinstry