This relationship began via two girls - who were pen pals - one in the town of Arlington and the other in what was then known as Koenigshofen, in the Bavarian region of Germany. It became a humanitarian liasion in 1951 under Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff, when the Arlington community sent 4 train loads of needed supplies including food, clothing, toys, etc. - between 1951 and 1954 - to the small town that was close to the east-west German border being constructed. This town of approximately 7,000 people, about the same size of Arlington in that era, had been unindated with refugees from the east so Arlington stepped up with support. Many in Bad Koenigshofen still share stories of how they or someone they know had received their first pair of shoes from Arlington, or their first dress or doll, etc. To this day this community remains appreciative and rolls out the red carpet when someone from Arlington visits. Only days after 9/11 they had particular opportunity to return support when a large delegation from Bad Koenigshofen traveled to Arlington to commemorate and celebrate our 50th anniversary together, for which we remain grateful beyond measure.
We celebrate the relationship annually with an Oktoberfest around our September 17th anniversary date, usually at S.J. Stovall Park. This year we are starting early with a "Steins Under the Stars" fundraiser for the Sister Cities of Arlington Germany Committee at Levitt Pavilion on Friday, August 29th at 6:00 pm in preparation for 2026 our 75th anniversary year! The band Brave Combo, sponsored by First Rate Living, will open up the 2025 Fall Concert Season. I’m sure their lively polka rock music will get the Oktoberfest vibes flowing.Steins will be available for $25 (includes a beer ticket) at our Sister Cities of Arlington Germany Committee vendor tent.You can also pre-purchase VIP tickets which includes food, drink and access to the air conditioned Levitt Center. For more information about the VIP experience and to purchase tickets, open the following QR code.
Other activities include participating in the Fourth of July parade, but our biggest activity is participation in the Texas Christkindl Market. Expanding to cover the Christkindl market at Christmas, our Sister Cities organization has additionally partnered with Rothenburg ab der Tauber, Germany to enhance knowledge of this Christmas tradition. Interest in the two communities and our relationship has grown over the last decades and we plan our trips together with the City of Bad Koenigshofen.
While our Sister City relationship precedes Sister Cities International, which was founded by President Eisenhower at his 1956 White House conference on citizen diplomacy, we are proud to be a recognized member of Sister Cities International and share their mission to "Promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation - one individual, one community at a time."
Our program has expanded to help us include other cities and countries that provide a mutual interest in cultural and economic growth. We have our expanded our sister cities board as well and have formed committees to explore other cities that would prove viable to our relationship and presence around the globe!
Our mission is to educate and promote social and cultural awareness, as well as exchanges between the cities of Arlington and Bad Koenigshofen, in northern Bavaria, Germany. This longtime relationship since 1951 has been rekindled year after year through visitations, dedication of parks, swimming pools, public sculptures, art exhibits/exchanges, Oktoberfest celebrations and the Texas Christkindl market.
We have also expanded our goals to add additional cities and countries to develop relationships with Arlington!
Our current needs are two-fold: We need more members and volunteers to man our booth during our Texas Christkindl Market during the Christmas holidays, because this is not just our major fundraiser for hosting our visitors, and supporting exchanges and projects, but is also educational outreach and informs our community. We hope to have an out-bound delegation going to Bad Koenigshofen celebrating our upcoming anniversary, and we have need for hosting delegations visiting Arlington as they come visit.
Donations (in-kind or other) help sustain our relationship through major projects and events, keeping forefront the awareness and significance of these very important relationships. We are appreciative of all levels of support and invite you to come join us!
On June 23, 2020 the City Council of Arlington created a citizen-led Unity Council, which was tasked with the following activities for which the National League of Cities selected the City of Arlington as the winner of its 2021 Cultural Diversity Awards:
"Gather community input on the need to use equitable measures to build greater equality,
Study equity strategies that the City could implement to promote and encourage greater equality,
Report findings and recommendations to the City Council, and
Create an equity plan which includes strategies to eliminate racism and other forms of discrimination and to advance unity in Arlington."
Prior to the creation of this committee and official charges, Sister Cities of Arlington has proudly long embraced and valued diversity, equity, and inclusion - as well as global proficiency skills and cross-cultural awareness - from its board members to youth participants - via inbound and outbound exchanges, cultural events, and educational programs in our schools and community.
Educating the community about cultures contributes to better understanding, uniting us, as well as teaches global proficiency skills needed during this 21st Century and beyond.
Organization name
Sister Cities of Arlington Texas
Causes
Arts & Humanities
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Tarrant
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, Other
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Address
505 E. Border St.