The Kirchweihfest (or church dedication fest) was always one of the most beautiful festivals of the year in the old country. It was a fest, whose roots lay deep in the genuine Christian beliefs of our people; a fest, which best expressed the sociability and hospitality of our rural lifestyle; a fest, in which the entire family, in fact the entire village community, whether young or old, participated in the many preparations as well as the cheerful festivities; and, a fest which everyone did his best to honor.

The Cincinnati Donauschwaben Verein strives to honor this old-world tradition and celebrates the Kirchweihfest every year in the month of October. The festivity stretches over two weekends, with the Kirchweih mass and blessing of the rosemary bush in Old St. Mary's Church on one Sunday and the auctioning of the rosemary bush and dance on the following Saturday.

In the first years of the club's existence, the Kirchweih mass took place in St. Joseph of Nazareth Church. After the demolition of this church, the club used Old St. Mary's Church for this purpose. In a private procession, the Youth and Children's Group of the club, in their traditional Swabian costumes, carry the beautifully decorated rosemary bush into the church, where it is blessed in a holy mass. The mass, which many countrymen and club members attend, is read in German.

The social part of the Kirchweih celebration always takes place on the following Saturday in the clubhouse. The festivity is always one of the best-attended dances of the year. Many of the members wear their traditional Swabian costumes to this fest. The Youth Group always takes part in this fest and also arranges the program of events. The high point of the festivity is the auctioning of the rosemary bush. This takes place according to the old-world tradition and is always begun with a Kirchweih poem in the Swabian dialect. After the auction, the band plays so all can dance. The entertainment often lasts into the wee hours of the morning.

The Cincinnati Donauschwaben Verein has always and, in the future, will always endeavor to pay proper homage to this great cultural heritage and cultivate and preserve it as well as possible.