Oktoberfest: Festival kicks off today, spans two weekends
Marking its 31st year, Oktoberfest will kick off today at the German-American Social Club.
The festival, which runs through the weekend and then again Oct. 28-30, will feature a packed lineup of live music and entertainment, including BodenseePerlen and Aichers, two bands from Germany.
Event chairman Stephen Amann explained that BodenseePerlen is like an 18-piece band.
“They play traditional German music during the daytime, then they’ll switch the music up to a lighter beat,” he said. “You haven’t lived until you’ve heard ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ sung in German.”
Aichers is a smaller band, comprised of only three musicians.
“They play the same,” Amann said. “It’s more for the younger crowd at night.”
“Most of the bands in Germany, they play American music,” he added.
The band Hafenkapelle, which is made up of members of the club, will also take the stage.
“They do an absolutely wonderful job,” Amann said.
The other acts will include the Manni Daum Trio, Schuhplattler Gruppe Alpenrose, Peter Dee, Stringtown and Europa, as well as the Kellyn Celtic Dancers and the Lee County Pipes & Drums.
There will be three stages and two dance floors.
The festival runs today from 4 p.m. to midnight, with the grand opening parade at 8 p.m.
“And the tapping of the ceremonial keg,” he said.
Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki will participate in the tradition.
“The mayor always taps the kegs in Germany,” Amann said.
The event will continue from noon to midnight on Saturdays and then noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays. On Oct. 28 – the second Friday on the schedule – the festival will run again from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Last year, more than 38,000 people attended over the course of the two weekends.
“Hopefully, we’re expecting just as many, if not more,” he said.
Amann noted that the weather for the first weekend is forecast to be nice.
“I’m expecting a big turnout because the weather is supposed to be perfect this weekend,” he said.
On Sundays, a free church service is offered at 11 a.m.
“Anyone that wants to attend the church service, we waive the entry fee,” Amann said.
Another Sunday highlight is the flag parade, which starts at 1 p.m.
“It’s basically flags of all different nations,” he said.
The festival will feature traditional German fare for purchase, including bratwurst, potato pancakes, schnitzel, leberkaese, schweinhaxen, sausage platters, sauerbraten, dumplings, noodles and more.
“We ordered probably about 8,000 bratwursts and we always run out,” Amann said.
The German beer Krombacher will be available, along with an Oktoberfest.
“We have a bunch of craft beers,” he said.
Budwesier, Bud Light and Amber Bock will be on hand, along with German wine and spirits.
“Last year, we went through 740 kegs of beer,” Amann said.
Other food options are pizza, gyros, burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream and more.
For the younger attendees, there will be a carnival area with rides and games.
“Most of the rides there are for the little guys,” he said.
More than 50 vendors and exhibitors are expected to be on site.
During the festival, two pairs of roundtrip tickets to Germany and two single roundtrip tickets to Germany will be raffled off, along with two single roundtrip tickets on JetBlue to anywhere.
“They have to be present to win,” Amann said.
The drawings are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $6 at the gate or $5 in advance; children ages 12 and under are free. Advance tickets are available at the club, the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral and Trebing Tile and Carpet.
Police, fire, EMS and active duty military get in free any day by showing their ID.
“We thought it’s the least that we could do,” he said. “All of our emergency responders and veterans, they constantly put themselves in peril to protect us – it’s to honor them.”
Free on-site parking is available.
Amann encouraged the public to come out to the festival.
“It’s a family event,” he said.
For information, visit: www.capecoraloktoberfest.com/ or call 239-283-1400.
The German-American Social Club is at 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road.