Minden is rolling out the red carpet this weekend for a young people's choir from its sister city in Germany.
Members of the Tookula Choir School of Minden, Germany, are to arrive Saturday where they will be greeted by 24 local families who are hosting the 80 teenagers and their chaperones until they depart Monday.
The public is invited to a free concert by the renowned choir at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the CVIC Hall.
Minden town office manager Sheila Byington said seating will be available for 200 people and doors will open at 6 p.m.
"This is a big deal for us," she said. "We normally don't get this kind of international group to call and say, 'We're your sister city in Minden, Germany, and we'd like to come entertain you.'"
Byington began coordinating the performance 18 months ago.
"I received an e-mail from their leader, Thomas Wirtz, who said they would be touring the United States and would we like to host them. I said, 'Of course,'" she recalled.
She thanked Judy Williams and the Minden Rotary Club that helped coordinate accommodations and Chuck Wayne who offered musical instruments the choir can't bring with them along with the families who offered accommodations for the weekend.
"The community support has been overwhelming," she said.
The visitors, who are arriving from San Francisco on Saturday, will be introduced at a barbecue at Minden Park for the host families.
The choir will be greeted by Minden town board member Bob Hadfield who has visited Minden, Germany.
On Sunday, they are touring Virginia City prior to their performance at the CVIC Hall. Following the concert, the public is invited to greet the young singers during what Byington described as a cultural exchange.
The Carson Valley Arts Council will be selling refreshments at the show.
The choir leaves Monday at 8 a.m. for Salt Lake City where they will continue their U.S. tour.
Byington encouraged people to visit the choir's Web site, www.tookula.de for information about the singers and samples of their music.
