Bavarian Inn Zehnder Family Leading Labor Day Walk Over Historic Holz-Brucke Covered Bridge

FRANKENMUTH, Mich., Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Michigan residents are welcome to join the Tiny and Dorothy Zehnder family in their annual Labor Day walk across the historic Holz-Brucke Covered Bridge in Frankenmuth, which has served as the main entrance to the iconic Bavarian Inn Lodge since 1986. The walk is a celebration of the painstaking labor it took to construct the bridge in the late 1970s. This year the walk will also serve as a celebration of the Bavarian Inn's 125^th anniversary.

"The secret ingredient for the success of our Restaurant and Lodge is the tremendous work ethic my parents and Bavarian Inn founders, Tiny and Dorothy Zehnder, instilled in their children and grandchildren," said Bill Zehnder, Bavarian Inn Restaurant President. "The covered bridge is a daily reminder of the hard work of our entire team that is necessary to keep our guests coming back and that is why we honor it each and every Labor Day."

The annual event has been taking place since the mid-80's and was started by Frankenmuth residents Al and Louise Schneider. This year's walk will begin at 12 noon on the east side of the bridge. The 5-minute walk will conclude at the Fischer Platz outdoor entertainment cafe, located at the southwest corner of the Bavarian Inn Restaurant next to the Glockenspiel.  Participants will then enjoy music performed by Linda Lee, the Inn's full-time entertainer since 1991, and Wild Bill. 

The 230-ton, 239-foot covered bridge was built by the family corporation in the late 1970s with Tiny and his brother Eddie Zehnder managing the project. It originally linked the Bavarian Inn complex with additional parking across the Cass River. The brothers contracted renowned New Hampshire bridge builder Milton Graton to perform the construction. Over the course of a year, Graton and his son and grandson hand-crafted the bridge with wood from Oregon and Alpena, Michigan.

The bridge was originally constructed on a rise of land east of the river, and then moved a few years later to its current home over the Cass River. The arduous process required a capstan, which was turned by nearly everyone in town -- plus a team of champion oxen - over the course of several days during a particularly cold January in 1980.

"Media was on hand to cover the bridge's final installation as the capstan was turned one final time," recalls 91-year-old Bavarian Inn matriarch Dorothy Zehnder. "With cameras rolling, the bridge had become frozen in place and wouldn't budge. But as the local pastor from St. Lorenz started to give the benediction, the bridge broke free of the ice and inched into place. It was a miracle. After the installation was complete, everyone in town was invited to a gratitude-inspired chicken dinner."

Over the years, the annual walk commemorating the building of the bridge has grown to include hundreds of participants including members from the local Gemuetlichkeit Club, an American-German cultural group which holds several events throughout the year to celebrate Bavarian culture.

About Bavarian Inn
Celebrating 125 years of service this year, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant has become a Michigan landmark. Generations of diners, lodgers and tourists from around the globe have discovered true Bavarian hospitality thanks to Dorothy and her late husband William "Tiny" Zehnder. Guests experience the old-world European charm of the Bavarian Inn – whether it's the famous chicken dinners, fresh baked goods or Michigan's greatest selection of German beer. Bavarian Inn also prides itself on being one of the top consumers of Pure Michigan agricultural products. Nestled within a backdrop of authentic German architecture, a variety of shops and other fun activities, a trip to Frankenmuth would not be complete without a visit to the Bavarian Inn. Learn more at www.bavarianinn.com.

Media contact: Sue Voyles, 734.667.2005 / [email protected]

SOURCE Bavarian Inn