Fort Sill Oktoberfest set for Oct.4

By Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWRSeptember 19, 2013

Oktoberfest
(Left) Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, helps Lt. Col. Stephan Haack, German Air Force Air Defense Command Training Detachment commander, and Bill Burgess, Lawton Chamber of Commerce, tap a keg to ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. -- Make plans to attend this year's Oktoberfest Oct. 4 from 4 p.m. to midnight at the Patriot Club. The official keg tapping, a tradition of the free event open to the public, follows at 6 p.m.

Enjoy delicious authentic German food such as schnitzel, bratwurst, brotchen, sauerkraut and German potato salad. Concessions will be available for purchase in the Sheridan Room.

Satisfy your sweet tooth and support family readiness groups at the German Backerei and Sweet Shop in the Artillery Room from 6-11 p.m.

The 77th Army Band will perform throughout the event. They plan on incorporating songs and dances including "Ein Proseit," and the Chicken Dance to get the crowd involved. Look for a log sawing event.

"We will also have commemorative beer steins for sale and lots of beer including Spaten and Palana Oktoberfest and domestic beers such as Shiner Bock and Third Shift. Fest goers can also try Jello, Aplekorn and Jaegermeister shots and Blue Nun wine," said Michael Borden, FMWR Business Operations chief. "The Exchange will sell assorted cigars to smoke outside in the beer garden."

The fest will fill much of the club and feature full service bars in the Backbone and Lanyard lounges.

"The Impact Zone Home Brew Club will also be on hand to answer questions and offer fest goers home brew samples," said Borden. "Stop by their booth to find out more about getting involved in home brewing and about brewing your own beers and ales."

Oktoberfest is traditionally a time of celebration and socializing and the event at the Patriot Club will offer everything to enjoy catching up with old and new friends, playing games and listening to music and all your favorite German food, said Borden.

"Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation want to see photos of you dressed in your Oktoberfest best," said Borden. Email photos of you wearing your Oktoberfest attire to fsoktoberfest2013contest@gmail.com for a chance to win passes to the Trail of Fear Scream Park."

Photos will be accepted through Sept. 22. and posted on the MWR Facebook page Sept. 25. Vote on your favorite by Sept. 30 by liking the picture. Photo likes will be tallied Sept. 30 and winners will be showcased and announced at Oktoberfest here.

The event is made possible through sponsorship from local companies. "Again this year we are very privileged to have some wonderful sponsors on board to assist us in producing a quality event for the Soldiers and families here at Fort Sill," said Andrew Duffy, FMWR sponsorship coordinator. "We want to extend our appreciation to Southwest Sales-Coors, USA Discounters, Fort Sill Federal Credit Union, Trail of Fear Haunted Scream Park, EZ-GO, Milo Gordon Auto Mall, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, and our media sponsors KLAW 101, Z-94 Rock and MY 107.3 FM."