CULLMAN – Cullman Mayor Max A. Townson kicked off the Oktoberfest 2016 opening ceremony by presenting the colors of the United States and Germany while the national anthem was played by the Hanceville High School German Band. The opening prayer was administered by Chaplain Karen Cook.
Local celebrity Col. Cullmann started gave the crowd details about some of the events planned throughout Oktoberfest. “Tomorrow night we have the All-Steak Christ Lutheran Church Dinner, all day Saturday we have the craft fair. The Burgermeister Ball is on Friday night this year. Don’t forget to buy your tickets at the retail tent. The ball will be at the Civic Center.”
Ernest Hauk, representative of the Friends of Frankweiler, spoke about the rich cultural bonds between Cullman and our sister city in Germany, Frankweiler. “The Friends of Frankweiler was organized in 1987, officially, as a way to commemorate our German heritage,” he said, before he briefly mentioned that the group needs more members and funding. “There is a group that is trying to maintain that heritage, but we need more,” he said.
“Most of all we stay alive to remind people that Frankweiler is where Col. Cullmann was born,” continued Hauk. “He came here and this is where our culture came from.” More information about the Friends of Frankweiler can be picked up at the retail tent of the Oktoberfest.
Nicole Vance, Oktoberfest of 2015’s Burgermeister, answered a frequently asked question: What is a Burgermeister?
Transferring the official medallion to the 2016 Burgermeister, Rev. John Richter, Vance said, “A Burgermeister, or Burgermeisterin, in my case, in Germany, is the mayor of the town, but in Cullman it’s a little different case. The Burgermeister, to me, is the spirit of Oktoberfest. We are representing our city, our heritage, in the best way that we can. We partake in as much of the events that we can, and we dance.”
Vance continued, “It is the highest honor that I have been bestowed in my lifetime thus far and I have truly enjoyed it.”
After receiving the medallion, Richter gave a short acceptance speech. “We are grateful to celebrate our community; it is an honor to represent our wonderful community during this wonderful time of year.”
Gracie Smith, student at East Elementary School, and William Gentry, student at West Elementary School, were both escorts this evening for the Miss Oktoberfest contestants. The following young ladies were representatives for their respective schools: Regan Garmon, of Cold Springs High School; Elizabeth Nance, of Cullman High School; August Stancil, of Fairview high School; Maggie Stewart, of Good Hope High School; Mikah Hudson, of Hanceville High School; Rhegan Kaufman, of Holly Pond High School; Sarah Anna McCarthy, of St. Bernard Prep School; Taylor Bray of Vinemont High School; and Madison Roberts of West Point High School.
However, only one could be the lucky one to become Miss Oktoberfest. The girls were lined up randomly and given random cupcakes. The lucky girl with the cupcake with pudding in the center won, and that turned out to be Hudson. Hudson was also crowned 2016 Cullman County Fair Queen just days ago at the Cullman County Fair.
Lastly, Richter performed the ever-popular Tapping of the Kegs. When tapping the final beer keg, Richter jokingly asked the crowd how they felt about a reverend being Burgermeister. He ended with a Martin Luther quote, “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!”
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