Fort Rucker Oktoberfest set to end with bang

By Jeremy Henderson, Army Flier Staff WriterSeptember 14, 2017

Oktoberfest
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- This year's Fort Rucker Oktoberfest is scheduled to end with a bang at the festival fields Sept. 29.

Lynn Avila, Fort Rucker Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation special events coordinator, said the free event, beginning at 4:30 p.m., is the perfect way for families to celebrate the arrival of fall.

"Oktoberfest is such a great family friendly event," she said. "We have so many different activities for the kids and adults."

According to Avila, the annual event brings back several familiar activities, such as the Volksmarch and inflatables for children, but fireworks will accent the end of the night this year as an extra treat to help make up for the show being cancelled at Freedom Fest in July.

"We always try to offer several fun and energizing events for our Soldiers, families, retirees and civilians in the Wiregrass," she said. "We understand we have a diverse community and we always want to offer something everyone can enjoy.

"This will be the third year we will have a Volkswagen 'Show & Shine' with several vintage Volkswagens," she added. "We will have inflatables, rides, ponies, games, crafts, pumpkins and much more for the kids. The German food and music is always enjoyed by all."

Oktoberfest will feature live German music; traditional German food, including bratwurst and schnitzel; a keg toss competition; a Volkswagen Show & Shine; inflatables for children; a pumpkin patch; craft activities; and more.

Another new addition to this year's event, according to Avila, will be a root beer garden for children and a separate garden for adults. Although the event is open to public, visitors must possess a military ID or obtain a gate access pass prior to the event.

"Visitors to the installation must have a visitors pass to enter the installation unescorted," Avila said. "People can obtain a visitor's pass from one of the two visitor control centers located at the Daleville and Ozark gates.

The Daleville VCC is open Mondays-Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Ozark VCC is open Mondays-Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Be sure to bring a valid driver's license in addition to the gate access pass," she added. "Give yourself plenty of time to get through the gates and also to get a gate access pass, if needed."

The event is free, but vendors will be present to sell food and refreshments. Vendors only accept cash and ATMs will be available on site. Coolers, backpacks, pets, glass containers, weapons, bicycles, scooters, roller blades and skateboards are prohibited.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will relocate to The Landing from 4:30-9:30 p.m.

For more information, call 255-1749.