ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Are you ready to savor some schnitzel while enjoying the upbeat sounds of an Oompah band?
Well, get ready because the inaugural APG Oktoberfest is almost here. The fun starts Thursday, Sept. 27 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 30.
Fest-goers can expect games, a FamilyKidz Corner, a Volksmarch, authentic German foods and beverages, a Festhalle, a car show and flea market and much more.
Opening ceremonies each day will salute a local community starting with the City of Aberdeen, 4 to 10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27. Events this day include costumes and contests. The opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 28 events salute the Town of Bel Air with the same schedule as Thursday with an added 15-minute fireworks display starting at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, Sept. 29, APG salutes the city of Havre de Grace. Events include a Volksmarch at 8 a.m., a Craft Show/Yard Sale at 9 a.m. and a Car Show at noon. The Festhalle opens at 4 p.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. and fireworks start at 9 p.m.
The ceremony saluting Cecil County starts 1 p.m. and features a Scales & Tales display by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Local town and city planners are working with APG to make this first-ever endeavor a success.
Brigitte Peters, marketing manager with the Havre de Grace Tourism Office said that everyone up to the mayor is excited.
"This is a great opportunity for APG and Havre de Grace. We have a lot of attractions we can educate the public about. Our police department and tourism office will be reaching out with displays as well and we've reached out to the Main Street people to get them involved," she said, adding that the annual Havre de Grace Graw Days festival also occurs in October. "Really good communication brings great community involvement," she added.
Musical entertainment will be in abundance. Metal, Rock, Jazz, Country and Gospel will be represented along with traditional German Oompah bands. Scheduled acts include The Alte Kumpel Band, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27, followed by The Leftstronger Band, a popular Baltimore metal band, from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
The German Band, Die Immergrum Musikantem, takes the stage Friday, Sept. 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., followed by local Blues band, Duffy Kane & the Freedom Riders.
On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Eric Marner Band brings the sounds of jazz to the festival from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and then the Alte Kumpel Band takes over from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The final day, Sunday, Sept. 30, includes Accordion player Bob Cryster from 12:30 to 2 p.m., then Gospel music from 2 to 4 p.m. and closing the festivities out from 4 to 6 p.m. will be the Eddie Baccus Jazz Band.
Register now for Volksmarch and Car Show
The Volksmarch will be held 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 29, starting at the APG North (Aberdeen) athletic center, Bldg. 3300. Register online or from 7 to 8 a.m. the day of the event. For more information, call 410-278-4011. Register online at http://www.apgmwr.com/Oktoberfest.html, or e-mail the following information to usarmy.APG.imcom.list.apgr-usag-mwr-leisuretravel@mail.mil.
Name, mailing address, phone number, names and ages of all participants being registered.
Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID cardholder? (Yes or No)
Will all registrants arrive at APG gates in the same vehicle? (Yes or No)
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