The city of Gera in Germany is a sister city of Fort Wayne, Indiana and on Wednesday 11th June, the Ost Thueringen Jugend Akkordeon Orchester, made up of 25 young accordion players directed by Arnt Schmutzle, were performing at the official start of the Germanfest.

The event was opened with the tapping of the beer keg by Mayor Tom Henry.

At the opening, video above, the orchestra only performed the national anthems of the United States and Germany. There main concert was on Saturday 14th June in the lower level of Headwaters Park, Fort Wayne.