The Sneddon Hof Germanfest will return to the Ogden Eccles Conference Center next month. The two-day festival, planned to run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 17 and 18, is a celebration of German culture and heritage as well as the 71-year partnership between Ogden and Hof, Germany.

In 1954, Ogden and Hof initiated the first sister city partnership between municipalities in the United States and Germany since World War II. The Germanfest was launched a few decades later, originally as the Hof Winter Carnival, in 1985.

Last year’s Germanfest was attended by Hof Mayor Eva Döhla.

Attendees at next month’s event can expect to see German food, music, dancing, vendor booths, various cultural activities and free giveaways. For Kassi Bybee, OECC general manager, the music is a highlight of the festivities.

“You can’t hear polka music without smiling,” Bybee told the Standard-Examiner. “I challenge anybody to listen to a polka song and have a frown on their face. It automatically makes you smile.”

To that end, the Chardon Polka Band, a new act at Germanfest, will join the returning Salzburger Echo and the B&B All-Stars at the festival. Also appearing at the event will be the Wasatch Alphorns, who will give attendees a hands-on experience with the traditional Bavarian instrument.

Bybee added that the more than 200 German students visiting the festival from local schools will receive an alphorn lessons.

There will be an assortment of beers available, and dishes like rotkohl, schnitzel, bratwursts, knackwursts and jägerschnitzel will be served. Also: chicken dances will be happening.

“We do the chicken dance at least twice an hour, maybe three times an hour,” Bybee said. “We have full families that show up with chicken hats on their heads and do the chicken dance.”

As Bybee sees it, the Hof Germanfest is the ideal way to extend the cheer fomented by the holidays well beyond the turn of the calendar.

“January is known for kind of having the blues a little bit, you know?” Bybee said. “Well, you have the opportunity on the 17th and 18th to come in and have an absolute community party … celebrating our relationship with the sister city of Hof, Germany.”

Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.ogdenpet.com/events/2025/sneddon-hof-germanfest-2025/ or at the door.