It was difficult to tell who was German or American when more than 150 guests showed up at the Rheinlander Community Club Sept. 30 for the U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder's annual Oktoberfest. Many came wearing lederhosen and dirndls.
It was not really a requirement to don traditional Bavarian folk attire but the many guests who got into the spirit of the evening by dressing up gave the festivities a more authentic feel.
The event was part of the garrison commander's community relations program which serves to foster U.S. and host nation relations.
Each year the festive event features traditional Bavarian cuisine. The ballroom is transformed into an Oktoberfest tent with blue and white decorations.
Before the festivities got under way, Lt. Col. Sam McAdoo, U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder commander and host for the evening, welcomed everyone and thanked the Hoppstädter band for their musical support.
"I particularly welcome the 'Original Hoppstädter Musikanten' under the supervision of Theo Fracaroli. They will provide some traditional Oktoberfest music throughout the evening. And for the third time they are performing at our Oktoberfest at no cost." said McAdoo.
As usual when McAdoo addresses an audience of Germans and Americans, he spoke in German and English.
He also mentioned that the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was past the halfway point in its deployment and asked everyone to remember the Soldiers who could not be present and to wish them a safe return. "Starting next month Soldiers will be returning to Baumholder, returning to their families and to their friends," said McAdoo.
McAdoo then kicked off the evening festivities by saying, "What we make of the evening is up to us, and who knows whether the 6.4 million visitors in Munich will have as wonderful a time as us. So, without further ado, "auf gehts Buam un Madels," lets tap a keg.
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