CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Oktoberfest 2024 shattered attendance records, drawing nearly 50,000 visitors to the annual celebration — an increase of over 13,000 from last year’s event and double the attendance in 2022. Held in the heart of Cullman, the German-style festival featured an expanded lineup of entertainment, food and cultural activities, leaving a lasting impression on both residents and visitors alike.
“This year’s Oktoberfest exceeded all expectations,” said Kelly Pulliam, special events coordinator for Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism. “Each year, our team — along with the festival committee, City staff, vendors and sponsors — works tirelessly to elevate the event, and the hard work paid off. We saw significant growth across the board, with everyone scaling their operations to accommodate the record-breaking turnout.”
Visitors traveled from as far as 1.5 to 2 hours to join the festivities, with hundreds, if not thousands, of out-of-state attendees contributing to a substantial boost in local business.
Cullman Economic Development Agency Director Dale Greer highlighted the broader impact of Cullman’s festivals, stating, “While we cherish the tradition of celebrating our German heritage as a community, we especially value the positive impact these events have on our local economy. After events like Oktoberfest, Strawberry Festival and Christkindlmarkt, it’s not uncommon for us to hear from our local restaurants and shops about record-breaking business days. These festivals not only strengthen community spirit, but also drive economic growth by showcasing Cullman as a vibrant destination to live, work, worship and play.”
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs emphasized the collaborative effort required to bring such a large-scale event to life.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in making Oktoberfest a success — from the staff and Oktoberfest committee members to our sponsors, vendors, local officials and first responders,” Jacobs said. “An event of this magnitude requires the collaboration and hard work of many, and we’re fortunate to have such a dedicated and creative team that continues to elevate the festival year after year for both our local community and the many friendly visitors from out of town.”
As the popularity of Oktoberfest continues to grow, festival organizers are making plans to ensure the venue can handle the increasing crowds. CPRST Executive Director Nathan Anderson said he envisions even greater potential for future festivals, particularly with the planned expansion of Depot Park.
“With the planned expansion of Depot Park, we believe the site will be even better equipped to handle the increasing crowds,” Anderson said. “We’re confident that the festival can continue to grow without any issues on the venue side for many years to come.”
Feedback from executives at Hofbräu, the co-sponsor of the Hofbräu Biergarten and the State Championship Maßkrugstemmen competition, also highlighted the festival’s success. “They were impressed not only by the level of detail our festival team put into the event, but also by the exciting atmosphere that filled the festival grounds,” Anderson said.
While Oktoberfest 2024 received high praise, there were areas identified for improvement. Many seniors expressed confusion about the meal options during Senior Day, believing they would receive food from vendors rather than the complimentary hamburger meal provided by longtime sponsor Walmart Transportation.
“Seniors who wanted traditional German food could still purchase it from our food court,” Anderson clarified, adding that better communication is a priority for future events.
Accessibility was another concern as the rapid growth of the festival raised challenges for parking and ease of access for those with mobility issues. Anderson reassured that plans are underway to address these concerns for future festivals, including a new parking lot that will increase ADA spaces.
“The mayor and city council have begun developing a new parking lot near the north end of the expanded park, which will allow us to increase the number of ADA parking spaces at the south end of the festival grounds,” he said.
The success of Oktoberfest 2024 not only showcased the festival’s growing appeal, but also reinforced Cullman’s reputation as a regional destination for cultural events. With the planned improvements and continued support from sponsors like Hofbräu, along with the strong economic impact noted by local businesses, Cullman is poised for even more successful festivals in the years to come.
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