CULLMAN — The 2011 Oktoberfest celebration got an early start Saturday, as thousands came to the warehouse district to get a first taste of the food, music and dancing that promise to keep revelers busy every day this week. The Festhalle’s daily Oktoberfest calendar runs from the opening ceremonies, set to begin today at 1:30 p.m. at the Festhalle, through Friday. Related events will be held all over the city throughout the week.

Here is a listing for some of this week's events. For more information contact the Cullman County Museum at 1-800-533-1258 or check them out on Facebook or Twitter or visit www.cullmanoktoberfest.com

• Sunday, Oct. 2

1:30 p.m.: Opening ceremonies at Festhalle Market Platz, 201 First Ave. NE, Miss Oktoberfest Contest, 2011 Burgermeister Installation and Cullman High School German Band.

3 to 5 p.m.: Combined Church Choir Concert at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Free admission, refreshments afterwards. Info: 256-338-0432.

6 to 8 p.m.: Stories from the Past Living History-Cemetery Tour, 211 First Avenue, NE. First bus will leave at 5:40 p.m. from the Festhalle Market. $8/adult, $5/18 months through 6 years. Sponsored by Cullman County Historical Society.

• Monday, Oct. 3

5 to 7 p.m.: St. John’s Oktoberfest dinner, 512 2nd Ave SE. Cost $10, entertainment provided. Info: 256-734-0344/256-734-0582.

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Cullman Community Band at Festhalle Market Platz.

5:15 p.m. Keg tapping at the Biergarten at The Rotunda.

5:30 to 11 p.m.: Biergarten at The Rotunda, nightly events, must show valid photo ID. Info: 256-737-0505. Sponsored by Smith Farms.

7 p.m.National Stein Hoisting Competition at The Rotunda.

7:30 p.m. Monday Night Football at The Rotunda ( Brat Eating Competition at halftime).

7 to 8:15 p.m.: Candlelight Walking Tour in downtown Cullman. Register for this guided tour at Festhalle Market Platz. Free admission.

• Tuesday, Oct. 4

10 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Beer, brats and music at the Downtown Grill. Full beer menu. Info: 256-347-0524.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: German dinner at Cullman Regional Medical Center, 1912 Highway 157 in the Col. Cullman Room, POB II. Adults/$10; under 12 years/$5. By reservations only - contact CRMC at 256-737-2600.

5:30 to 11 p.m.: Biergarten at The Rotunda, nightly events, must show valid photo ID. Info: 256-737-0505. Sponsored by Smith Farms.

6 p.m.National Stein Hoisting Competition at The Rotunda.

7-9 p.m. Wine & Beer Tastingat The Rotunda.

10:30 p.m. Karaoke at The Rotunda.

7 to 8:15 p.m.: Candlelight Walking Tour in downtown Cullman. Register for this guided tour at Festhalle Market Platz. Free admission.

• Wednesday, Oct. 5

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: TP Country Club German lunch, 700 Pine Hill Drive. $15/peson, reservations required by calling 256-739-0738.

5 to 7 p.m.: Sacred Heart German dinner, 217 2nd Ave. SE in Family Life Center. Adults/$10; under 12 years/$5. Entertainment by Dave Leonard. Carryouts available. Info: 256-734-0980.

5:30 to 11 p.m.: Biergarten at The Rotunda nightly events, must show valid photo ID. Info: 256-737-0505. Sponsored by Smith Farms.

6 p.m.National Stein Hoisting Competition at The Rotunda.

8:30 p.m. Authentic German Wine Tasting at The Rotunda.

• Thursday, Oct. 6

Senior Day at Festhalle market Platz, 209 1st Ave. NE.

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Terry Cavanagh & The Alpine Express/music and more.

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Seniors’ lunch at Festhalle Market Platz, free hot dog lunch to the first 500 seniors to arrive.

12:30 p.m.: Senior’s Bingo at Festhalle Market Platz. Free Bingo for seniors.

2 to 8 p.m.: Al’s BratFest, 1202 4th St. SW. Info: 256-734-2626. Sponsored by Al’s Doghouse.

5:30 to 11 p.m.: Biergarten at The Rotunda, nightly events, must show valid photo ID. Info: 256-737-0505. Sponsored by Smith Farms.

6 p.m.National Stein Hoisting Competition at The Rotunda.

6:30 p.m.Sauerkraut Eating Competition at The Rotunda.

6 to 8:30 p.m.: Design & Dine. Paint your stein and enjoy a meal sponsored by The Painted Bisquet. RSVP to 256-734-6800.

6:30 to 9 p.m.: All Steaks German Buffet, 314 2nd Ave SW. Info: 256-734-4322. Live Music Tickets available in advance.

7-11 p .m. Street Dance at The Rotunda.

• Friday, Oct. 7

5 to 7 p.m.: Christ Lutheran Church German fest cookout, 24 2nd Ave. SE. Tickets available at cookout.

5:30 to midnight: Biergarten at The Rotunda, nightly events, must show valid photo ID. Info: 256-737-0505. Sponsored by Smith Farms.

6 p.m.National Stein Hoisting Competition at The Rotunda.

6:30-8-30 p.m. Wine & Beer Tasting at The Rotunda.

6 to 10 p.m.: Celebrate Oktoberfest with the Downtown Merchants: Music, food, and late night shopping! Kids’ activities and local artist performing. Info: 256-734-1338/256-653-1599

7 p.m. Limburger Cheese Eating Competition at The Rotunda.

8-11:30 p.m. Acoustic Performer at The Rotunda.

• Saturday, Oct. 8

7 to 10 a.m.: Oktoberfest run. Registration at 7 a.m.; run at 8 a.m. $25/5K; $30/10K. Info: 256-708-3971 or chrisv@camha.com.

8 a.m.: BEAT THE BURGERMEISTER! Oktoberfest barbecue challenge at Cullman County Fairgrounds. Also, music. Beer available to those with valid photo ID. $5 gate fee. Info: 256-339-1209. Sponsored by the Bama Club.

8 a.m. to noon: Shred-A-Thon, 420 2nd Ave SW. Sponsored by First Community Bank of Cullman. Info: 256-734-4863 or www.fcbcullman.com.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m: Community Arts & Crafts Fair at Depot Park. Also food vendors and information booths. Info: 1-800-533-1258.

Kinder Art Park is free children’s arts and crafts projects. Co-sponsored by the Cullman Art Guild.

9 a.m. to midnight: Biergarten at The Rotunda, nightly events, must show valid photo ID. Info: 256-737-0505. Sponsored by Smith Farms.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Hundfest Doggy Events at Depot Park, 211 2nd Ave NE. Registration at 9 a.m.; Wiener Dog Race begins at 10 a.m. Hund Blitz for all dogs (except wiener dogs) under 12 inches is at 11 a.m.

Noon: Pet parade, followed by Fun Show at 1 p.m.  Canine Good Citizen testing is at 2 p.m. Registration fee $5/class. Info: 256-507-1459

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Oktoberfest Student Sidewalk Art Show, 204 2nd Ave. NE, in front of City Hall. Info: 256-739-4321. Sponsored by the Cullman Arts Council. www.cullmanartscenter.com.

9:30 a.m. Sauerkraut Eat Off and Crowning of Cullman’s King and Queen of Kraut at The Rotunda.

9 to 9:30 a.m.: East and West Elementary Singers, directed by Tim Clemmons

10 to 11:30 a.m.: Wallace State Singers, directed by Tiffany Richter — Wallace State Jazz Band directed by Ricky Burks.

10:30 a.m. Best Beer Belly Contest, Male and Female at The Rotunda.

10:30-1:30 p.m. Willie Nelson Impersonator at The Rotunda.

11:30 to noon: Cullman High School Chorus, directed by Josh Agnew, performing at the Festhalle Market Platz. Free admission.

12:30 p.m.: Bratwurst Eating Contest at the Festhalle, sponsored by Piggly Wiggly. Info: 256-739-1258.

1 and 3 p.m. Historical District Bus Tour. Bus leaves from the Festhalle Market. Admission $3. Tickets are available at the Festhalle Market Platz. Sponsored by the Cullman County Historical Society.

2-5 p.m.Country Music Band at The Rotunda.

5:15 p.m. Stein Hoisting Competition at The Rotunda.

6-9 p.m. Live Music: Rolling in the Hay at The Rotunda.

7 to 11 p.m.: Burgermeister Ball at the McGukin Civic Center, 510 5th St. SW. Adults/$10; 19 & under/$5. Music by Terry Cavanaugh and the Alpine Express. Info: 256-739-1258.

9:30-11:30 p.m. Disco at The Rotunda.