CULLMAN, Ala. – Dirndls, lederhosen and Bavarian hats abounded on Thursday, Oct. 3, as Cullman Oktoberfest officially opened.
Opening ceremonies took place on the main stage that currently takes up one third of Arnold Street between Depot Park and the Cullman County Museum.
The entirety of the area stretching from Depot Park through the Warehouse District was covered with German food vendors with schnitzel, pretzels and brats on a stick, allowing festivalgoers a taste of the culture while immersing themselves in the German festival.
Rev. John Richter led the ceremony’s prayer, in the festival’s native tongue, German, before the Cullman Community Band joined in the celebration. The band, made up of Cullman residents and those from surrounding areas, played the national anthem and the anthems of each branch of the U.S. military, all represented by area residents, including Mr. Roy Drinkard, who flew the United States Marines banner during the tribute.
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs, decked in German garb, spoke to the crowd and thanked Cullman City Council members for supporting the annual festival.
“I’m proud to be able to present this and our German heritage and keep this alive,” he said.
Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, told the crowd, “Thank you for being here. We are excited about Oktoberfest when we celebrate our heritage, and that’s what we’re here to do for the rest of this weekend. Enjoy the beer and have a good time!”
As the ceremony moved closer to the main event, the tapping of the keg, 2023 Oktoberfest Burgermeister Dale Greer took the stage to welcome Burgermeisters past and this year’s Burgermeister, Amy McAfee Wood.
“Ms. Amy McAfee Wood, will you come up here, please?” asked Greer as Wood came to share the stage with her son, Alex.
“Amy has been a champion of Cullman County for decades,” Greer shared. Wood’s family is prominent in Cullman. Her late father, Danny McAfee, was the founder of Cullman Cabinet and a proponent of boosting Cullman’s economy and connection to its heritage. Greer continued, “There is nobody more involved in a business standpoint or church standpoint or civic standpoint, always participating in everything everywhere.”
Before tapping the keg (and emotions) with the mallet made by her late father, Wood addressed the audience, saying, “I would just like to welcome you all to the 2024 Oktoberfest and thank you all for coming out tonight, and hopefully tomorrow and tomorrow night and Saturday as well, to our three-day festival. We are looking so forward to the festivities that are about to begin.”
Wood swung the mallet and sprayed the ale to signify the official commencement of the 2024 Oktoberfest celebration.
The event will continue throughout Cullman’s Warehouse District and Depot Park area through Saturday, Oct. 5. See the full schedule of events at www.cullmanoktoberfestival.com/schedule-of-events.
