While city crews Friday were putting the final touches on the ski run down 25th Street, George Whiting was home putting on his winter lederhosen, the traditional dress worn by men and boys in the Alps.
Why you ask? Because Ogden residents were gearing up to celebrate the 6th annual Hof Winter Carnival.The ceremony got under way Friday evening with the traditional ski run down 25th Street, followed by a torchlight parade to Union Station. Next came fireworks, German food and entertainment.
The three-day event is held in January to honor Ogden's sister city, Hof, Germany. Hof Mayor Doris Weber and her family, along with aide Peter-Michael Tshoep and German Consul General Elmar Weindel of San Francisco were scheduled to attend.
Traditionally, Hof usually sends one of its bands to Ogden to entertain, but Whiting said the band stayed behind this year because of economics. He said Hof's officials planned to send a band next year. But for 1992, um-pah-pah music was provided by bands from Salt Lake City and Idaho.
Whiting, an employee with the Ogden City Business Development Agency, said the Hof Winter Carnival has always been a success. He said Germans from around the state and region travel to Ogden for the event and spend the whole day listening to German music and eating traditional German foods at Union Station.
"Hof is a fun event because everybody gets cabin fever this time of year and Hof gets everybody out of their homes," Whiting said.
Whiting led the torchlight parade. Residents were given green glow sticks for their three-block walk to Union Station, passing by Municipal Gardens with its thousands of Christmas lights shining brightly.
Outside activities this year included snow sculpture, broom hockey, volleyball, skiing and free hay rides.