CULLMAN, Ala. – It’s just a little more than five weeks away, and preparations for the 39th annual Cullman Oktoberfest are well underway, with Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism Executive Director Zac Wood and Recreational Development Director Christy Turner busy planning this year’s festival. There are obstacles and changes, of course, due to COVID-19, but they are determined to keep the long-running tradition of celebrating the city’s German heritage going.
One of the biggest changes this year is that Oktoberfest will only be two days- Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3.
“We are still working on the schedule,” said Wood.
On Friday, the Oktoberfest Biergarten will open at 4 p.m. with the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. The party will continue with live music until around 10.
Saturday will include the regular farmers’ market hours at the Festhalle along with craft vendors. The biergarten and food will start at 10 a.m.
Said Turner, “We will have activities throughout the day. We are having a cruise-in starting at 2 p.m. and live music, wiener dog race, dog costume contest and a little pooch parade or whatever we decide to call it. We are still working on the details. Just some fun, low-key activities for families to celebrate our German heritage.”
Another change will be the location of most of the activities. The farmers’ market and craft vendors will be at the Festhalle, but the other activities will be moved to Depot Park.
The popular Oktoberfest Senior Day is currently not expected to take place.
“We’d love to be able to do something for the seniors because we know they have been inconvenienced more than anybody else in the whole community,” Wood said, “but we just don’t know how to do that and do it safely.”
Alabama’s current Safer at Home Order is set to expire Aug. 31, and organizers are anxious to see if Governor Kay Ivey will make any changes to it or allow it to expire.
If the restrictions are loosened, Wood said, “The biggest thing I would be looking for is if we could do anything with the seniors. If it opens up and we think we can do something for them, that would be it.”
Turner added, “We would add a Senior Day, a senior activity for sure! Other than that, I see us sticking close to this simply because of the time to plan, but a senior activity is something we would be all about.”
Wood continued, “If we could add that, even if it’s last-minute, we will add something for our seniors.”
School groups often visit the Cullman County Museum during Oktoberfest, but Wood said those field trips have not been discussed with the schools yet.
“We are assuming they will not be able to, but we haven’t officially heard,” he said.
Turner added, “If they can come out, we will accommodate them in some shape, form or fashion. If they can’t come out, we will try to send a little German heritage their way.”
The Oktoberfest 5K will not take place this year, but an alternate fundraiser to support WellStone Behavioral Health is planned.
“We are looking at doing a pumpkin patch and bringing the kids in,” said Wood. “If they want to pick a pumpkin and pay for it and paint it, those proceeds go to (support) mental health (care) in the area.”
Other popular favorites will happen, including the tapping of the keg, the Miss Oktoberfest Pageant and kids’ activity areas. There will not be bouncy houses, but there will be crafts and other fun things for the kids.
Added Turner, “It will be individual activities where we can keep them spread out.”
The road construction project around the Festhalle is expected to be complete by the time Oktoberfest begins.
Wood said, “The rest, up in the Warehouse District, probably will not be complete, but we do plan on the first of it to the north to be complete.”
2020 Burgermeister
Nominations for Cullman Oktoberfest 2020 Burgermeister are open now. Applications will only be accepted through Aug. 31. Nominate someone at https://forms.gle/LCrAh1HVANZF9SbW8.
Stay up-to-date on the details and schedule for this year’s Oktoberfest, including the traditional German dinners hosted at area churches, at www.facebook.com/cullmanoktoberfest or https://cullmanrecreation.org/cullman-oktoberfest/.
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