Oktoberfest strikes again

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing/ Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tyndall Air Force Base hosted the 10th Annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 18. More than 1,000 people from Tyndall and the surrounding community attended the event.

"Oktoberfest is a community happening where everyone can come together and relax and get to know each other," said Wendy Poppell, Director of the Community Activity Center.

Although Oktoberfest has been running for a decade, this was the first year that Oktoberfest and the Car Show were combined.

The car show included classics, antiques hotrods muscle cars, low-riders, tuners and motorcycles.

This year's event was a combined effort from several different agencies.

Students from the Rutherford High School Junior ROTC program directed parking. The Keystone Club, from the Youth Center, was responsible for running a large portion of the concession stands.

"There were 20 arts and crafts booths from local vendors," said Mrs. Poppell.

Among the remaining helpers were the Security Forces Squadron, Community Police, base booster clubs and Tyndall Veterinary Clinic.

The Veterinary Clinic held a dog show. The first 20 contestants who signed up received hurricane kits for their pets and the winner s were given doggy baskets filled with toys and treats.

For those who brought out there kids, there were several activities to keep them entertained.

"I know the kids had a ball," said Mrs. Poppell. "The bouncy castles were a huge hit."

The Hofbrauhuas supplied authentic German food and beer, as well as T-shirts, mugs and stuffed animals.

The event featured live music from the German band, Europa and the Steve Higgins Band. While the bands were on break, Master Sgt. Miguel A. Soto, 325th Maintenance Squadron Production Superintendant, played music to keep the crowd going.

A highlight of the evening was the Oktoberfest bratwurst eating contest. Contestants had eight minutes to consume as many bratwursts as possible.

This year's winner was Master Sgt Dennis Harper, 325th Maintenance Group Foreign Object Damage Prevention Manager, who ate nine bratwurst.

"Oktoberfest is huge in Germany," said Mrs. Poppell. "It is a six week festival that starts in Mid-September, but we are giving people a little flavor, a little touch of it."