By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

The public is invited to the Salzburger Landing Day celebration on Saturday, March 11, on the grounds of the Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2966 Ebenezer Rd., Rincon. Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with the raising of the five flags of Ebenezer by the JROTC cadets from Effingham High School.

The annual event commemorates the safe landing in Georgia by the Salzburger immigrants on March 12, 1734. Among the variety of events planned throughout the day is a lunch of “good rice soup,” a meal originally served to the Salzburgers upon their arrival in Savannah. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and costs $10 (cash only). All proceeds will benefit the Buildings and Grounds Fund for the preservation of the Georgia Salzburger Society buildings.

A worship service will be held in the Jerusalem Lutheran Church sanctuary at 1 p.m. and will include elections of new officers and board for the Georgia Salzburger Society.

Phillip Officer, a supervisory park ranger at Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simon’s Island, will give a presentation beginning at 2 p.m. His presentation will center on German settlers in Fort Frederica, their connections to the Salzburgers in Ebenezer; and their roles in establishing the colony of Georgia.

The museum, gift shop, and the Loest Research Library will be open throughout the day except during the worship service.