Foley Sister Cities Commission hosted its 2nd annual 5K Octoberfest Run at OWA on Saturday, October 5, 2024.  The race was proudly sponsored by Ascend Performance Materials, Riviera Utilities, WAS Design, Riverview Turf, and Point Broadband.  Runners and walkers participated from all over the world including many states (I.e. Wisconsin, Illinois, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, etc.)  and Germany.   Participants came dressed in creative costumes including German Oktoberfest attire (dreidels and lederhosen).  Prizes were given for the best costumes.  Bratwursts, sauerkraut, bier, and pretzels were enjoyed by all. Participants received an official event T-shirt.  Medals and trophies were presented to the placing runners and walkers.  At the end of the run, folks were heard saying they are coming back next year, and some must come a long way.

Foley Sister Cities Program is also working on an educational exchange program of teachers and students from Hennef, Germany.  Last summer, Foley sent high school students and teacher/chaperons to Germany.  They stayed in the homes of Hennef residents, their host families.  During the week of the run and after, Foley hosted teachers and students from Hennef who stayed in the homes of Foley host families. The students have been matched for more than a year.

Hennef students and teachers were welcomed by Mayor Ralph Hellmich while visiting Foley High School. The German students had four requests before they came:  see dolphins, alligators, turtles, and a football game. They accomplished all their requests. The students were able to participate in the Oktoberfest 5K run; saw dolphins on a boat cruise, alligators at Alligator Alley, attended Foley High School football game in Fairhope, and participated in “Share the Beach” Turtle Training. Besides all of this, they visited Foley Elementary School, Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit, the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Mobile Carnival Museum, and the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Museum. Deep friendships and relationships have developed over the last year.

It is best said by Foley High school student Drake Zarro, “This exchange was an amazing experience.  It was so fun to meet new people and explore places I have never been to. This exchange has left me with a bunch of lifelong friends who I still talk to even after the trip.  It has shown me how other people in different countries do things differently.  Overall, it was an amazing opportunity.”

This is echoed by Drake’s mother, Janice Zarro.  She says, “This program was like opening our home to a whole new world.  Not only did we gain knowledge about other cultures, but we gained a new family member along the way.  We will never forget this experience and have created memories to last a lifetime.”

Mayor Ralph Hellmich is very pleased about the progress of Foley Sister Cities. Both the Mayor and Linda B. Spangrud, Executive Director, are heard saying that this is exactly what we hoped this program would do. “Promote long-term, global people-to-people relationships.”

The next big project for Foley Sister Cities is an international, intergenerational cookbook.  The recipes are gathered, translated and now being formatted for publication and printing.  They will be available for public purchase.

The Foley Sister Cities Commission exists to promote cultural, educational, and commercial relationships through international leadership, friendship and understanding. Ultimately “Building Peace Through People”.

For more information about Foley Sister Cities or its’ Commission please visit www.foleysistercities.com  or contact us at foleysistercities@gmail.com .