RAPID CITY - "Ein Prosit, ein Prosit, der Gemutlichkeit." - the familiar sound echoes as fairgoers enter the gates. Both old and young raise their glasses and recite the well-known German saying toasting to good life and friends.

For 25 years, people of all generations have packed into the blue and white striped tent and enjoyed the music, food, camaraderie - and, of course, the beer, synonymous with German tradition.

The Rushmore German Club's annual Sommerfest celebration has itself become a local tradition.

"I can't believe it's been 25 years," Randy Smith, president of the club, said. Smith joined the club in 1981 after being stationed in Germany.

The club was founded 35 years ago as a result of the Rapid City flood, according to Smith. On June 9 and 10, 1972, the city was sponsoring the "Dakota Days Band Festival," which featured high school bands from all over, including Germany. When the flood hit, band members were displaced, and word went out asking German speaking families to help house the students.

The students left; however, a tight-knit family developed among the German community. The group soon formed the Rushmore International Club, which later became The Rushmore German Club.

In 1982, the club held its first Sommerfest - or what locals later dubbed "The German Tent."

"I remember the first time I came," Smith said about the premiere event 25 years ago. "On Saturday night, there were about 40 people in the tent. Now, you'll find 1,200."

The German Tent has grown in popularity over the years, becoming a must-attend venue at the Central States Fair.

Longtime member Heide Schroeder, who came to the United States from Weimheim, Germany, in the 1960s, remembers when few people knew any of the songs. Now, fairgoers of all ages participate in polkas, waltzes and the popular Alligator and Chicken Dance.

"Even the young ones like to come here," said Schroeder, one of many dressed in authentic German costume.

Smith said he remembers when club members had to pull people out to dance.

"In those early years, the members would have to coax people out on the dance floor," Smith said.

Now, swarms of people crowd the floor prepared to shout "We want more beer" as the band begins the chords to the Chicken Dance. Some locals even wear chicken hats to commemorate the popular dance.

Attendance has grown so much that the club has had to increase the size of their tent three times, Smith said. The current 50- by 150-foot canvas tent is one of the largest in the Midwest and one of the last canvas tents made, he said. Even at its size, the tent is filled to capacity on many days during the nine-day festival.

Over the years, the event has attracted the same performers, including Denver-based Rick Borger and the Average German Band who are also celebrating their 25th year at the German tent.

"They love the crowd up here," Smith said.

Other annual performers include Steve Rock's Tanzkapelle, also from Denver, as well as the Happy Wanderers, which feature club members Leo Volk and Gary Renner.

Many locals look forward to the Central States Fair in large part because of the German Tent, Smith said.

"We hear that all the time," he said.

Dale Kleinschmidt has been coming for the past three years.

"I started coming here because my son and his wife come here all the time," said Kleinschmidt, who was holding his 6-month-old grandson, Magnus. Although less than a year old, Magnus was already jiving to the music and was decked out in shorts and suspenders.

Jeff Haberstroh started coming nearly a decade ago after getting involved with the firefighter exchange Sister City program. Apolda, Germany, is one of Rapid City's Sister Cities.

Haberstroh said his favorite part of Sommerfest is the dancing and the beer. "It's not as good as German beer, but it is close."

Both Smith and Schroeder said preparing for the Sommerfest takes a lot of work, but it is all worth it. The best part, they said, is seeing the span of generations enjoying the festivities.

"That is the way it is in Germany," Smith said.

The money made at the door goes to pay for the bands, and the proceeds from the beer garden go to various local charities, Smith said.

The club has about 95 members and is always looking for new faces, Smith said. Members do not have to be German; they just have to want to have fun.

Everybody is willkommen.

To learn more about the club and its activities, go to www.rushmoregermanclub.com.

Michelle Muellenberg is a freelance writer from Rapid City.