Oakland Park Oktoberfest

OAKLAND PARK, Fla-(July 16, 2010) ? 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. 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.