Plans for Oakland Park’s Oktoberfest 2010 already underway

Oktoberfest aficionados and anyone else looking for a fun party need not worry about airfare to Munich when they can drive to Oakland Park’s 6th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration on October 1 and 2.

Oakland Park’s annual Oktoberfest is not only the largest in Broward or Dade, but it has become one of the most popular in Florida, according to Siegi Constantine, Executive Director for Oakland Park Main Street.

“Everything about our event is authentic – from the food and the beer to the bands performing traditional Oktoberfest party music,” said Constantine who is chairing the event with Steve McAleer and Eric Waters. “Due to the popularity and demand, our committee agreed to begin the celebration on Friday evening this year.”

The Oakland Park Oktoberfest hours are Friday, October 1 from 6 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, October 2 from 1 to 11 p.m. at the “Bavarian Village” set up in downtown Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 North Dixie Highway (just north of NE 38th Street), where the official “keg tapping” will commence the celebration.

Constantine has been working with her committee to ensure each detail of the event is carried out in true Oktoberfest tradition. They are planning for more than 5,000 people to attend by making sure an adequate supply of authentic German food and beer is available, as well as plenty of dance space under the large tents.

Hans Huber, owner of Fort Lauderdale’s award-winning Ambry Restaurant, will operate the Bavarian-style “Biergarten” at the Oktoberfest offering a selection of popular German favorites such as bratwurst, knockwurst, spicy currywurst, chicken schnitzel, goulash soup, sauerkraut and German potato salad, as well as freshly baked pretzels, “Brotchen” and apple crumb strudel. In addition to soft drinks, a selection of German wines and authentic German-brewed Tucher Oktoberfest beers will be available for purchase by adults 21 and over.

The large tents will be erected to replicate the authentic atmosphere of a Bavarian village celebration, including a stage and a dance floor. Performances by the “Edelweiss Schuhplattlers” (children’s dance troupe) and the “Original Auerhahn Schuhplattler Dancers” (adults) will delight the guests.

Vendors in the Alpine market will offer a variety of gift items and collectibles. A carnival featuring rides, games and refreshments will entertain children and adults alike.

“Oktoberfest is truly meant to be a celebration for all ages and we want to encourage a lot of singing and dancing,” said the City’s Special Event Coordinator Eric Waters. “We will also have fun Oktoberfest games and contests such as our popular Central Bark ‘Dachshund Dash,’ keg races, and for the first time a bratwurst-eating contest.”

The musicians scheduled to fill the air with oompah and polka dance melodies until the 11 p.m. closing each evening include Oktoberfest mainstays the “Euro Express.”

Longtime South Florida dance and party band favorites the “Funkabilly Playboys” will also be performing both nights with an Oktoberfest twist to their always popular show.

Click here to see BrowardNETOnline.com’s photos from last year!

Constantine reminds Oktoberfest attendees that Sal’s Towing of Oakland Park has offered to provide free transportation home for anyone who may not be safe to drive, and the nearby Days Inn Hotel at Oakland Park Boulevard/I-95 will offer discounted Oktoberfest rates for the weekend.

Oktoberfest sponsors to date include the City of Oakland Park, presenting Sponsor Lipton Toyota/Scion, Central Bark Doggy Day Care, Comcast, Days Inn, Graphic Banner, S.MarkGraphics, Sal’s Towing, Sunnyvale Corporation and The Pelican.

For sponsorships, vendor opportunities, and other information, please call Constantine at or visit www.oaklandparkmainstreet.com. There will be a $3 donation for adult admission while children 12 and under are admitted free. On-site parking is $5.

“Oakland Park bids you ‘Guten Tag’ (Good Day) and brings a little bit of German ‘Gemuetlichkeit’ to South Florida which translates days of good spirits, good times, laughter and goodwill,” Constantine said. “We are proud of what is taking place in downtown Oakland Park and encourage people to mark their calendars to attend this fun-filled and entertaining event.”

HISTORY OF OKTOBERFEST

Oktoberfest is adapted after the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, in 1810 as a celebration of the marriage of Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The wedding party was such a success it was celebrated again the following year in commemoration of the royal wedding. The wedding reception blossomed into a two-week open-air festival that was so well received it became an annual event. Each year additional exhibits were added until it became the major annual German fall festival celebrating harvest time and the arrival of the fall season.

Charitable Partner for Oktoberfest:

Oakland Park Main Street is proud to select NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL again as this year’s recipient of a monetary contribution from Oktoberfest proceeds. With its donation to the school’s Jaco Pastorius scholarship and music fund, Main Street honors its longstanding and rewarding relationship with Northeast High School. The unique partnership continues to provide exceptional learning opportunities for the students about the intricacies of community growth and redevelopment.

Related posts:

1. Oakland Park Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 3
2. Oktoberfest brings thousands to drink beer, have fun and listen to music
3. Upcoming events in Oakland Park
4. Pedestrian killed crossing Commercial Blvd. in Oakland Park
5. BSO seeking Oakland Park repeat burglar

Short URL: https://browardnetonline.com/?p=8919