Coplay Saengerbund, 205 S. Fifth St., held its annual Stiftungsfest June 25 to mark its 106th anniversary and celebrate its accomplishments.

Stiftungsfest is a German term that translates to “foundation celebration” or “anniversary celebration.” It refers to a festive event held to commemorate the founding of an organization or institution. The celebration typically involves entertainment, music, food and a sense of community coming together to honor the organization and its accomplishments.

The host band was the Emil Schanta Band, which provided rich, ethnic Austrian music. When the Emil Schanta Band began playing, revelers streamed to the dance floor.

The Reading Ethnic Choir sang several songs, followed by the Lancaster Leiderkranz Hobby Chor, which entertained in the outdoor grove. Joe Rennick, an accomplished accordion musician, played as the Lancaster Hobby Chor sang. The Hobby Chor was founded in 1978.

John Moffa, an attorney from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was in town to visit family and friends. Moffa attended the event with Gary and Peggy Peters, of Coplay. Moffa said he was impressed with the celebration and the many attendees dressed in Austrian traditional clothing.

Despite the occasional shower and intermittent thunderstorm, there was abundant visible gemutlichkeit among the attendees. Gemutlichkeit is a German word that means “geniality and a feeling or atmosphere of warmth and friendliness.”

In 1917, a small group of Austrian immigrants came together in Coplay to establish a private social club. The primary purpose of the club was to have a place for Austrian immigrants to socialize and promote their heritage and music. These Austrian immigrants were also involved in the development of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 5 S. Fifth St., Coplay. The church was founded June 16, 1917, and the Rev. Joseph J. Ostheimer was named the first pastor for about 110 families.

Coplay Saengerbund continues to provide traditional Austrian and German music Sundays and rock music Fridays in the outdoor grove during the summer.