Oktoberfest: Annual two weekend celebration kicks off today in Cape Coral
It is that time of year again to break out the lederhosen, steins and famous “Chicken Dance” skills as the 29th annual Oktoberfest kicks off today in Cape Coral at the German American Social Club.
The festival, which runs through the weekend and then again Oct. 24-26, will feature a packed lineup of live music and entertainment, including the headliner band Bodensee Perlen, of Germany. The other acts that will share the two stages include Eddie Korosa Jr., the Manni Daum Duo, and Peter & Edith.
“We typically have several different bands playing on different stages,” Susie Zimmer, spokeswoman for the German American Social Club, said. “A lot of favorites.”
Bodensee Perlen will play traditional German music, as well as more contemporary tunes.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had them before,” she said.
The band Hafenkapelle, sponsored by the German American Social Club, will also perform.
“They play in the Southwest Florida area at different events,” Zimmer said.
Additional entertainment will be provided by Ukrainian dancers from Miami and Alpen Rose, a dance ensemble from an Orlando-based German club. The Lee County Pipes & Drums will also perform.
The festival runs today from 4 p.m. to midnight, with the grand opening parade at 8 p.m.
Zimmer noted that Cape Mayor Marni Sawicki has been invited to tap the first keg.
The festival is held from noon to midnight on Saturdays and noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays. On Oct. 24 – the second Friday on the schedule – the festival will run again from 4 p.m. to midnight.
The Messiah Lutheran Church on Pine Island Road will host a free service on Sundays at 11 a.m.
“There is a church service,” she said. “It’s open to the public.”
Another highlight on Sundays is the grand parade, which will take place from 1 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
Along with the array of entertainment comes the traditional German fare and drinks.
“Lots of beer, lots of great food,” Zimmer said. “Come hungry and thirsty.”
Krombacher, Gordon Biersch and an Oktoberfest beer will be available for purchase, as well as domestic picks like Budweiser and Bud Light. There will also be a selection of fine German wines.
“We will, of course, have mixed drinks, a margarita bar and a rum bar,” she said.
As for food, potato pancakes are one of the biggest sellers.
There will be bratwursts, sausage platters and frankfurters, along with schweinhaxen, which is pork knuckle, and leberkaese – a German-style meatloaf. Schnitzel and sauerbraten will be available inside the von Steuben Hall. The dinners include red cabbage and potato dumplings or potato salad.
There is chicken, hot dogs and hamburgers, along with roasted nuts, sweets and funnel cake.
“There will be vendors selling international specialities from Greek, to pizza, and also some other things in between,” Zimmer said.
For the younger attendees, there will be children’s rides and games.
“There will definitely be carnival rides and an area for the kids,” she said.
There will be approximately 40 vendors exhibiting or selling a mix of goods and wares.
“Definitely, we’ll have our German vendor,” Zimmer said.
Last year, about 35,000 people turned out over the two weekends.
“We are expecting 35,000 this year,” she said. “We’re hoping that we’ll pull in a larger crowd.”
During the festival, JetBlue and Key West Express tickets will be raffled off.
Festival tickets are $6 at the door or $5 in advance. Advance tickets are available at the German American Social Club, the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral and Hess Express stations.
“It’s a fun event,” Zimmer said, adding that the festival was started nearly 30 years ago for the Cape Coral community. “It’s something that the community should not miss.”
“Just come out and enjoy it,” she said.
For information about the 29th annual Oktoberfest, visit: www.CapeCoralOktoberfest.com.
The German American Social Club is at 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road.