Community celebrates 28th annual Oktoberfest

Redstone’s Oktoberfest celebration was blessed this year with good weather, and mild temperatures brought out a crowd for the opening night of the 28th annual celebration.

The King family from Madison, who endured the drizzle on Saturday at last year’s event, arrived just as the festival started Friday evening, making the rounds at the rides for the younger set.

“We’re here to enjoy Oktoberfest, enjoy the weather and the rides,” said Mike King, attending with his wife, Geleth, and 4-year-old daughter, Aleia.

The festival, held Friday through Sunday at the Redstone Activity Field off Patton Road, featured traditional German food and beer, carnival-type rides, games, face painting and live music.

Garrison Commander Col. Erin Eike tapped the keg in the opening ceremony Friday with the help of The Summit’s business manager Robert Schumann. King Guys Oktoberfest Brass Band led the crowd in a toast in the giant Festhalle tent.

Eike praised Ed Nunn, the director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and the whole MWR team for their efforts.

“Every year they put Oktoberfest together so that we can celebrate as Team Redstone and as a community,” she said, noting that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes.

Everyone supporting the event “helped deliver to the community one of the most anticipated events of the year,” Nunn said.

“It takes a village of people” to put together Oktoberfest every year, he said, thanking the Directorate of Public Works, the Directorate of Emergency Services, the Public Affairs Office, Safety Office, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security and the Installation Emergency Operations Center for supporting the event. The MWR team “worked tirelessly in the months and weeks leading up to today.”

Caroline Wisby, who hadn’t been to Oktoberfest in about 20 years, returned Friday with her 9-year-old granddaughter, Reagan Twymon. Their first ride was the Speed XXL, which stands more than 130 feet tall and can reach over 50 mph.

“I think we can do anything now,” Wisby said to her granddaughter as they headed to their next ride.

“That was a little scary,” Reagan said. “I felt like I was gonna fall out of my seat.”

Oktoberfest sponsors whose representatives were recognized at the opening ceremony were Gulf Distributing, Paulaner, WHRP, WZYP, Nash Icon, al.com, WHNT, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Floor & Decor, Redstone Exchange, Champion Windows, Renewal by Andersen and IHG.