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A sporadic drizzle Saturday afternoon didn’t stop the Craig family from enjoying the carnival rides and games at their first visit to Oktoberfest.
“It’s been a lot of fun. We’ve had a good time,” said Bethany Craig, who was at the festival with her husband, Brant, and 6-year-old twin sons, Tate and Preston. The Huntsville family was dressed in Bavarian apparel that they wore at a festival last year in Frankfurt, Germany, where they were visiting family members.
“Obviously a lot of work went into this,” Craig said. “It’s well put together.”
The 27th annual Oktoberfest, which also features traditional German food and beer and live music, was Friday through Sunday at the Activity Field off Patton Road and was open to the public.
“We were afraid, based on weather reports and Hurricane Francine, that this year’s Oktoberfest would be a wash, however, we were extremely lucky,” Stephanie Stone, marketing and special events manager with Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said. “The weather was overcast, breezy, with only a couple of sprinkles here and there. Weather-wise, it was one of the best Oktoberfest’s ever because it wasn’t too hot.
“Families were able to enjoy all the rides, games, and activities and for that we are grateful because a lot of hard work happens to host the annual Oktoberfest for families to enjoy. That is what it is all about – seeing everyone enjoy themselves and creating memories together.”
Ten-year-old Abby Shaw crossed the Activity Field with her parents, checking out the other carnival rides.
“I really liked the Wind Glider,” she said. “You lie on your belly, and it spins around.”
Abby and her parents, Jessica and Joseph Shaw, drove to Huntsville from Springville that morning and planned to visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center on Sunday.
Garrison Commander Col. Erin Eike tapped the keg with the help of Robert Schumann, business manager for the clubs of Redstone, during the opening ceremony on Friday. Ed Nunn, Redstone’s new MWR director, gave remarks at the ceremony.
“It takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes” to put on the festival, Nunn said, recognizing the Garrison’s Directorate of Public Works; emergency services; plans, training, mobilization and security; the safety office; public affairs office and Installation Emergency Operations Center for supporting the event.
He also praised the MWR team for working tirelessly in the months leading up to Oktoberfest. “This is no small feat, let me tell you.”
To those who contributed to this year’s festival, he said, “you’ve helped us deliver to the community one of the most anticipated events of the year and for that I thank you humbly.”
Oktoberfest sponsors included Woody Anderson Ford, Gulf Distributing, Paulaner, Fox54, WHRP, WZYP, Nash Icon, al.com, Floor & Decor, Coca Cola, Redstone Federal Credit Union and Redstone Exchange.
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