Oktoberfest begins Oct. 4

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September 6, 2008

By Tiffany Green The Cullman Times Sat Sep 06, 2008, 07:06 PM CDT

Oktoberfest is just around the corner, and Cullman is gearing up for this year’s events. The action starts Saturday, Oct. 4, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 12.

“People come from all over the United States to attend our Oktoberfest,” said Elaine Fuller, curator at the Cullman County Museum. “Last year we had people from 22 states represented.”

This year offers a full schedule of events for all ages. Many of the events will be held in and around the Festhalle Market Platz.

One of the first things attendants will notice is Col. Cullmann — the city’s founder — making an appearance. Larry Rowlette, of Cullman, portrays Col. Cullmann in many activities during the week.

“He is involved in the cemetery tours, shows up at many of the events, leads the dancing and welcomes people in both German and English,” Fuller said.

Another one of the more popular attractions is the music.

“Terry Cavanaugh and the Alpine Express are an internationally known um-pah band that is very entertaining,” Fuller said.

The Sacred Heart German Festival and street sale is another popular event.

“The street sale is really unique because there is such a variety of items, but you have to get there early to find the bargains,” Fuller said.

The street sale starts at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4 and the German festival kicks off at 11 a.m. The German festival offers children of all ages something to do. There will be the cake walk game, German food and a raffle among other things.

Sacred Heart, Rumor’s Deli, Boy Scout Troop 31, The Dog House and many others will be serving a traditional German meal for lunch.

All throughout the week restaurants around town will be offering traditional German dinners. Some of the favorites include the German dinner buffet at Culllman Regional Medical Center and the All Steak buffet.

Thursday, Oct. 9 is Senior Day. Special events planned are a senior lunch at the Festhalle, which is free to the first 500 guests. This event is sponsored by Roy Drinkard. After lunch, seniors can enjoy a game of Bingo followed by the Strait Way Gospel Quartet. The evening will close with contests including best polka, waltz and chicken dance, along with best costumes contest and a yodeling contest.

Another popular event, Fuller said, is the stories from the past, and living history cemetery tours, led by the Cullman County Historical Society.

The biggest event leading up to Oktoberfest is the selection of the Burgermeister.

Nominations are held each year and the committee selects the choice, Fuller said.

The choice for this year’s Burgermeister is a unique situation and a first for the festival. Philip and Pat Clemmons were selected posthumously as the Bugermeister. Their three children: Nancy Clemmons Moore, LTC Philip B. Clemmons and Katherine Clemmons will be accepting the role. The Clemmons took a big part in always making the festival a great success.

“Pat was a big part of Oktoberfest,” Fuller said.

Pat Clemmons took a big role in preparing the Oktoberfest meal at St. John’s Church. She also started the Oktoberfest hay people after seeing them on a trip with her husband through the Bavarian countryside.

The week will close on Saturday, Oct. 11 with the community fair, the 5k run, weiner dog race, the junior art show, entertainment from the Wallace State Jazz Band, bratwurst eating contest and the evening will close with the Burgermeister Ball at the civic center.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit Cullmanoktoberfest.com.

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Oktoberfest begins Oct. 4

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