31st ANNUAL ISLAND OKTOBERFEST SET FOR OCTOBER 26-27
HISTORIC GALVESTON ISLAND'S PREMIER FALL FESTIVAL
GALVESTON ISLAND, TEXAS - A very special – and expanded- entertainment schedule will highlight this year’s 31st annual Island Oktoberfest. Set to take place in historic downtown Galveston, the festival will kick- off Friday evening, October 26th from 5-11 pm and will continue Saturday, October 27th from 11am-11pm. This fun, family weekend of great music, authentic German food, libations, shopping, an exciting auction, raffle, children’s games and activities, and much more will be held again this year on the grounds of and streets adjacent to First Lutheran Church, 24th and Winnie.
Island Oktoberfest, hosted by First Evangelical Lutheran Church and co-sponsored by Del Papa Distributing Company, will open Friday evening with” A Ceremonial Tapping of the Wooden Keg”, with Galveston Mayor Lewis Rosen officiating in the newly expanded four-themed Bier Garten - featuring several German biers and a variety of German-style wines. Last year for the first time, a German Kuchen contest was introduced and by popular demand…the 2nd annual Kuchen Contest is sure to be even bigger and better this year.
Accompanying the weekends' fun festivities will be a greatly-expanded entertainment schedule. Set for Friday evening will be Das ist Lustig with Valina Polka ( who will entertain with interactive German shows that include folk instruments and dance lessons for attendees) as the Headliner on the Family Stage and the ever-popular Mid Life Crisis Band as the Headliner on the big Music Stage. On Saturday, Das ist Lustig with Valina Polka will again headline the Family Stage and Alpenfest will be the Daytime Headliner on the Music Stage; with The Line Up – again returning by popular demand for Saturday evening’s Headliner performance on the Music Stage. Also planned for this year’s festival are encore performances by Alpine and Western yodeling master Kerry Christiansen, Fanfare! The Lutheran Music Academy Singers, Deer Park High School Folk Dancers and Choir, and Brendon Mak and his sister, Vanessa. New for 2012 are the New Braunfels Gemischter Chor Harmonie - celebrating 75 years of singing and growing together; local singer and entertainer Kevin Anthony, and the Friendswood High School German Dancers.
Along with great music, there will be superb food and drink including smoked sausage, bratwurst, and knockwurst. New this year, will be a “Wurstabendessen” – a sausage dinner comprised of German-style and Polish-style Wurst with all the traditional German side dishes. This special German Dinner will be available on Saturday. For a sweet finale, homemade Helmut’s strudel (freshly baked on site), will be offered in addition to a variety of tempting home-made desserts (created from recipes passed down from generation to generation) prepared by congregation members. Hand-made pretzels, freshly-popped popcorn, and a variety of soft drinks will also be sold at the festival.
The historic and beautifully- renovated circa 1860 Lyceum will again be open from 5-9pm Friday evening and from 11am-7pm on Saturday with vendors showcasing exceptional hand-crafted arts, crafts, and gift items for those eager to get a head start on holiday shopping. Because Oktoberfest continues to be one of the vendors’ most enjoyable and fun venues, regular attendees can look forward to shopping with their long-time special vendors – each featuring Christmas and other special gift items. As well, shoppers always look forward to knowing that their favorite vendors have returned to showcase their best products.
Other Saturday events will include a variety of fun games and activities for children –including arcade games, moon walks and challenges, face painting, sports activities, interactive music and dancing entertainment.
Island Oktoberfest admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to dress in German costume. No animals will be allowed on the festival grounds. For more information, please visit www.galvestonoktoberfest.com , call 409.762.8477, or follow the event on Facebook at Island Oktoberfest.
Photo: The 31st annual Island Oktoberfest, hosted by First Lutheran Church and co-sponsored by Del Papa Distributing Company, will take place in historic downtown Galveston on Friday-Saturday, October 26-27th. Bring the whole family and enjoy great German food and libations, outstanding live entertainment on two big stages, fun children's activities, superb holiday shopping, and so much more. The festival will be held on the grounds of and streets adjacent to 24th and Winnie. Festival hours are 5-11pm on Friday; 11-11 on Saturday. Admission is free. German costumes encouraged. Visit on line www.galvestonoktoberfest.com or call 409.762.8477. (Photo credit: First Lutheran Church/Galveston.)