Frankenmuth plays host to grueling ‘run-bike-run’ event Sept. 27

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. – Sept. 1, 2015 – Many of the nation’s best runners and cyclists are coming to Frankenmuth Sunday, Sept. 27 to compete for $5,000 in cash prizes and a shot at national and world championships in the POWERMAN USA Duathlon Series, sponsored locally by the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and the Bavarian Inn Lodge.

The event marks the final regional duathlon contest on the POWERMAN USA race calendar. Regional winners will qualify for the POWERMAN USA National Championships Dec. 13 at Cocoa Beach, Fla. National winners are invited to compete for the best-in-world title at the World Duathlon Championship in Zofingen, Switzerland.

The Bavarian Inn Restaurant and the nearby Bavarian Inn Lodge vicinity will be the most popular gathering spot for athletes, their families, supporters, and spectators as the race courses wind around the city, traversing nearby country lanes, through the Frankenmuth business district, and crossing the historic Wooden Covered Bridge (“Holz Brűcke”).

Two classes of races will be going off on race day: the classic Powerman, which encompasses a 10K run, followed by a 60K cycling race, and another 10K run. The second event, the Powerman Sprint, involves a 5K run, followed by a 30K bike race, and another 5K run.

“It’s a great city, with something for the entire family to do,” said Powerman North America’s National Event Director Kenny Krell, outlining why Frankenmuth was chosen for the races. Krell noted previous partnerships with the Bavarian Inn on the endurance event scene also contributed to Frankenmuth being named as the host city.

Race day events are expected to get underway following participant registration activities, which take place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. For more information, please visit www.powermanusa.org.

The Bavarian Inn Lodge is the host hotel for the POWERMAN USA event, and is offering special rates for participants and their family members. For more information, call 1-855-652-7200 and ask about the POWERMAN USA rate.

About Bavarian Inn Restaurant Celebrating 125 years of service in 2013, 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.

About the Bavarian Inn Lodge: Nestled along the Cass River in one of Michigan’s top tourist destinations – Frankenmuth – is one of the state’s largest Indoor Water Park Hotels! The Lodge has 360 European-themed guest rooms, including whirlpool and family suites, an adult-only pool and whirlpool, two gift shops, two lounges and two restaurants — all under one roof. The expansive 35,000 square feet Family Fun Center houses two dramatic waterslides, three pools and two whirlpools, over 150 video and redemption games, a two-story children’s play village and Willy’s Kingdom indoor mini-golf course. Guests can also enjoy live, year round, nightly entertainment and test their own musical skills during weekend family karaoke shows. In 29 years of business, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has been an important destination for travelers, evidenced by the 1.25 million room-nights that have been booked there since its opening, along with its top rating on TripAdvisor®.

Congratulations to Angie Lang, server in Oma’s Restaurant at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, for being selected as the 2013 Frankenmuth Bavarian Princess in early June! Also Melanie Dohrmann from the Bavarian Inn Restaurant was part of the Bavarian Princess Court. Enjoy these photos.

‘Family Fun Center’ Receives Voters Mandate

Nov. 12, 2012 – Frankenmuth, Mich. — The votes have been counted and the people have spoken.  Just like in our national election, the current party will remain in office:  The “Family Fun Center” will continue as the name of the entertainment area of the Bavarian Inn Lodge.

“Despite the $3-million expansion currently under construction,” said Judy Zehnder Keller, president and founder of Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Lodge, “people have asked that we keep the same name. Like the old saying goes, ‘You don’t mess with success.’”

Since Bavarian Inn Lodge’s  entertainment area is being refurbished, Zehnder Keller and her staff thought perhaps the time was right for a new name as well — something to reflect the renovation. A contest was created, asking people to pick from one of four names for the Center as well as create a new name of their own.

The four names voted on were ® FunnerPlatz, ® Willy’s Kingdom, ® FunnerHaus and the existing ® Family Fun Center.  The runner up:  ® Willy’s Kingdom, which will be added to the current name: Family Fun Center – Home of Willy’s Kingdom.  As a result, anyone voting for the names “Family Fun Center” or “Willy’s Kingdom” will receive two free passes for miniature golf at the Lodge.

Zehnder Keller said she appreciates the more than 500 people who participated in the contest.  And, while she was genuinely surprised with the outcome, she was heartened to receive a mandate for the Center’s original name and pleased to get such a positive reaction.

“The Family Fun name has been with us since the Center was added in 1989,” said Zehnder Keller. “People relate to it and love it.”

The 35,000 square-foot entertainment venue offers all-ages recreation from pools to mini-golf to more than 100 video games.  The renovation is focused on two dramatic water slides — a body slide and a multi-person tube slide. The Lodge will offer four indoor pools — including a zero-depth entry and one for adults only.  Guests will also enjoy a fun facelift to the 18-hole mini-golf area. Both projects are planned for completion before Thanksgiving 2012.

Voting took place on Bavarian Inn Lodge’s Facebook page from Sept. 20 through Oct. 4, 2012.

About Bavarian Inn Lodge

Since its opening in 1986, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has undergone five additions, expanding the number of rooms, adding the Ratskeller Restaurant and a full service conference center that can accommodate up to 500 people. In 25 years of business, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has been an important destination for travelers, evidenced by the 1.25 million room-nights that have been booked there since its opening.

Media contact:

For more information about the Bavarian Inn Lodge, please contact Sue Voyles, Logos Communications, Inc., sue@logos-communications.com or 734-667-2005 or visit the online press room at https://bavarianinnlodge.logos-communications.com/

Sept. 20, 2012 – Frankenmuth, Mich. — Bavarian Inn Lodge’s “Family Fun Center” is taking on a new look, and it’s looking for a new name to reflect the renovation.

The 360-room Frankenmuth resort is inviting the public to vote on a new name for the Family Fun Center — a 35,000 square-foot entertainment venue offering all-ages recreation from pools to mini-golf to more than 100 video games.

The reason for the new name? The Lodge is underway with a multi-million dollar investment focused on two dramatic water slides — a body slide and a multi-person tube slide. Along with the new slides, the Lodge will offer four indoor pools — one zero-depth entry and one for adults only.  Guests will also enjoy a fun facelift to the 18-hole mini-golf area. Both projects are planned for completion before Thanksgiving 2012.

The contest asks participants to pick from one of four names for the Center. They also have an option to create a new one of their own.

“The Family Fun Center name has been with us since it was added in 1989,” said Judy Zehnder Keller, president and founder of Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Lodge. “Now, we’re thinking that our fresh face might want a fresh name to go with it.”

The four names to be voted on are:

• ® FunnerPlatz – What’s even more than fun?  How about funner?  Combine it with the German word for place (platz) and you have ‘FunnerPlatz’ — a specially coined term bringing together all of the elements of the Fun Center into one playful word that’s fun to say.
• ® Willy’s Kingdom – Our mascot Willy — an 8-foot tall, Lederhosen-wearing dragon — would like to have the Fun Center named after him.  After all, the Center is Willy’s enchanted domain, and his magic does fill the air.  He’s even been spotted doing the Chicken Dance in the Ratskeller at night!
• ® FunnerHaus – This name is similar to ‘FunnerPlatz,’ but we’ve changed the name place to Haus (house).  While not really a true German word, it does capture the essence of the fun that awaits in the ‘FunnerHaus.”
• ® Family Fun Center – Despite all the renovations to the Center, some folks believe you just can’t improve on the traditional name.  So we’re offering the original title, ‘Family Fun Center’ for those whose vote is the incumbent.

After they’ve cast their ballot for one of these four choices, participants can also submit a name of their own creation.  Here’s how to participate:

• First, find the Bavarian Inn Lodge on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/FrankenmuthBavarianInnLodge?success=1

[Or, CLICK HERE to go to our Face Book Page and LIKE us.]

• To be eligible to vote, you’ll have to “Like” the Lodge page
• Then vote for one of the four names you like best
• ·         Then there is your opportunity to submit a name of your own creation
• Along with the name, you’ll be asked to explain in 300 – 500 characters  why your idea best describes the new look and feel of Bavarian Inn Lodge’s entertainment venue

Winners will be chosen one of two ways.  If one of the four names — ® FunnerPlatz, ® Willy’s Kingdom, ® FunnerHaus, or ® Family Fun Center — is selected, everyone who voted for the winning name will win two miniature golf passes.  If one of the creative new names is picked, that individual will win a two-night, get-a-way for a family suite, breakfasts and dinners, and limousine transportation provided after the renovation is complete.

There’s only one vote allowed per person and you must be a Facebook friend to participate.  The contest runs from Sept. 20 through Oct. 4, 2012.  Details are also available on the Bavarian Inn Lodge website at http://bavarianinn.com/stay/

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About Bavarian Inn Lodge

Since its opening in 1986, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has undergone five additions, expanding the number of rooms, adding the Ratskeller Restaurant and a full service conference center that can accommodate up to 500 people. In 25 years of business, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has been an important destination for travelers, evidenced by the 1.25 million room-nights that have been booked there since its opening.

Media contact:

For more information about the Bavarian Inn Lodge, please contact Sue Voyles, Logos Communications, Inc., sue@logos-communications.com or 734-667-2005.