The 26th Long Island Bavarian Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 at Plattdeutche Park at 1132 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square. This year's festival promises to be a weekend filled with "Gemutlichkeit" and non-stop entertainment for all ages.

Many new ideas and attractions have been added to the traditional ones featured in the past. Saturday evening will feature musical entertainment by "Die Spitzbuam," whose lively music will have the audience dancing and schunkling from 6 p.m. until late in the evening.

Sunday will feature the more familiar and traditional Oompah band, the Foehrer Musik Freunde. This 30 piece brass band will play for your listening and dancing pleasure from 1 to 5 p.m. They will be followed by the nationally famous Adam Barthalt Polka Band at 5:30 p.m. A special treat fo everyone on both Saturday and Sunday will be Erwin Schaefer, who will play some wonderful Tyrolean melodies with his alpine bells.

Nowhere will Bavarian heritage be more evident than in the performances by the host of the festival, Original Enzian. Original Enzian is a Bavarian Schuhplattler ("shoe-slapper") dance group from Glendale, Queens. The children, teenage, and adult groups have been practicing diligently for this year's festival at their headquarters, the Glendale Memorial Building on Myrtle Avenue at 72nd Street. Throughout the weekend, they will be performing new and traditional schuhplattler dances, some of whose origins can be traced back to te 11th century. Their colorful costumes consisting of lederhosen, dirndls and traditional hats will add to the atmosphere of an authentic Munich Oktoberfest.

As usual, many local artists will display their hand-crafted articles. Collectors will find the import booths showcasing German products and souvenir items interesting. Other entertainment will be provided by the Schuetzen Verein, which will open their shooting gallery to the public on Sunday. A new attraction this year, our model train display, will surely bring to everyone's face and the variety of games and raffle stands promise an exciting time for all.

On the menu will be something to delight everyone's taste. Bratwurst, German potato pancakes, Black Forest Cake, Butter Kuchen, Dinkelacker beer, and pretzels are just a few items available to satisfy every appetite. Of course, for all those interested the Plattdeutsche Park Restaurant will be serving full course meals.

The park will open at 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday. Admission prices are as follows: Adults - $7, Children 12 and under (accompanied by an adult) - free, Senior Citizens 65 and over - $6.

There is plenty of parking available, and please keep in mind that the event will be held rain or shine. For ticket or other information, please call (718) 428-6797 or (718) 456-5262.