Rheinischer Verein

Rheinischer Verein The focus is to promote the German tradition of Karneval as a bigger family event. Our fests, music, dance, food and song defines Gemütlichkeit.

The Festive Celebration of Karneval is one of the oldest customs in Germany, especially in the Rheinland, is Karneval, also known as Mardi Gras. The Karneval season takes place between November
11th (“elften elften um elf Uhr elf”)and Ash Wednesday, and is often called “die fuenfte Jahreszeit” or fifth season. During the winter months, there was no farm work to be done and little work to be done

in the city, creating an opportune time for festivities. Everyday life during these months was taken lighter. People were allowed to ridicule their local authorities in a joking way, and a Prince (Prinz) and Princess (Prinzessin) were elected to reign over the season, assisted by the Council of Eleven Jesters, or the Elferrat. To keep the tradition of Karneval alive the Mardi Gras Society of Milwaukee
(Rheinischer Verein Gruen – Weiss) was founded in 1964. A Prinz known as “Seine Tollitaet” (His Craziness) and Prinzessin
known as “Ihre Lieblichkeit” (Her Loveliness) have been crowned every year since. The crowning of the royal couple is a colorful gala affair, where guests are impressed with the pageantry, colorful uniforms, and all of the pomp and splendor displayed.The Royalty is greeted by their subjects with a greeting that is unique – Helau!, which is a greeting of cheer and joyfulness. Even though Mardi Gras in Milwaukee may not be celebrated with as enormous pomp, ceremony, and splendor as is displayed in the German cities of Cologne and Duesseldorf, we are known for celebrating this custom with enthusiasm, which comes from the heart, even surprising visitors from Germany who have come to Milwaukee to participate in the festivities. Close contact has been established with other Mardi Gras societies in the United States, Canada, and Germany. In 1974, the Mardi Gras Society was made honorary member of the “Duisburger Hauptausschuss”, the umbrella organization for all Mardi Gras societies in the city of Duisburg. Other festivities that are celebrated during the Karneval season include, Kappensitzung where speakers entertain the people with funny speeches; Maskenball, or masquerade dance, which also includes a women’s masquerade –Weiberfastnacht; and Kehraus, or the closing of the season, where Hoppeditz, the clown of Karneval, is put to rest until November. Music is also an important part of Karneval, and the linking of arms and swaying to the music (Schunkeln) is a common site at all events. There are traditional Karneval songs including: “Denn Einmal Nur Im Jahr ist Karneval ”(Karneval only happens once a year), and many others, some that are hundreds of years old. The custom of Karneval is one that can be shared and enjoyed by all people, no matter what area of Germany or the world they are from.

Hey hey hey, if you happen to see our Prinz Peter Hoffmann wandering around, be sure to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
05/31/2026

Hey hey hey, if you happen to see our Prinz Peter Hoffmann wandering around, be sure to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

05/24/2026
Thank you Prinzessin Sue Wunn Hoffmann, Prinz Peter Hoffmann (traveling for work currently), David Kletz, and Allyson Kl...
04/19/2026

Thank you Prinzessin Sue Wunn Hoffmann, Prinz Peter Hoffmann (traveling for work currently), David Kletz, and Allyson Kletz for representing us at G.A.M.G.A. this year!
~ All of GAMGA board represented by Recording Secretary Diana Villing Bauer

Thank you Spielmannszug Minnesota for honoring Curt Bauer, Diana Villing Bauer, and Sue Semrow during your 3x11 celebrat...
04/19/2026

Thank you Spielmannszug Minnesota for honoring Curt Bauer, Diana Villing Bauer, and Sue Semrow during your 3x11 celebration!

04/18/2026

TOMORROW: Rheinischer Verein Annual Meeting! 🇩🇪
​Don't forget—tomorrow is our Annual Meeting at 2pm at The Bavarian Bierhaus . This is a major one: All board positions are open for election. Make sure your voice is heard as we select our leadership for the coming year. Please ensure your dues are up to date to participate in the vote! See you all there! 🥨

Frohe Ostern!
04/05/2026

Frohe Ostern!

🚨 ATTENTION: Meeting Update - Hi everyone, please take note of a quick change to our upcoming meeting. We are moving fro...
03/13/2026

🚨 ATTENTION: Meeting Update - Hi everyone, please take note of a quick change to our upcoming meeting. We are moving from in-person to a fully virtual format.

📅 Date: Sunday, March 15
🕒 Time: 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Zoom (No longer at Bavarian Bierhaus)
🔗 Zoom Link:
The link is currently being finalized. Please check your email for the link and login details.
See you all online!

Goodbye dark afternoons, hello long evenings! 🌷✨ Don't forget to 'Spring Forward' today!
03/08/2026

Goodbye dark afternoons, hello long evenings! 🌷✨ Don't forget to 'Spring Forward' today!

Congratulations to Coach Boston and 7th Grade Cedarburg Bulldog Basketball Club!
02/22/2026

Congratulations to Coach Boston and 7th Grade Cedarburg Bulldog Basketball Club!

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Whitefish Bay, WI
53217

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+14147082958

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