TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWO) — Community members will have the opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the oldest Oktoberfest in the state this year thanks to the continued dedication of the local German Oberlandler Club.
The event will take place at the Vigo County Fairgrounds on September 15 and 16 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. and attendees can expect, signing, dancing, and of course homemade authentic German food along with plenty of German beer.
Attendees can look forward to live Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans and The Streamliners music on both days of the event from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and authentic German food such as grilled brats & schnitzel, German potato salad, sauerkraut, apple strudel, and other homemade desserts along with classic festival foods like hot dogs, pretzels, and popcorn.
The German Oberlandler Club’s Oktoberfest has been a local staple of culture and fun in the community for half a century.
“Being the oldest Oktoberfest in the state of Indiana is quite an accomplishment for us because in the heyday of things, we had quite a few members, but as all organizations change and the membership declines we’ve been able to continue this continually, except for 2020, of going straight through and doing it all in house ourselves. That to us, is quite the accomplishment, we’re quite proud of that,” said club spokesperson Brad Cress.
Many of the food options available at Oktoberfest are made by the members of the club and use authentic German recipes from original club members.
“We have a number of German natives in the club also and they all help cook, but the recipes used in our sauerkraut and potato salad are recipes that were originally from the German members,” Cress explained.
Cress also noted that the event will cost one dollar to attend and that half of the proceeds go to various local places and people in need.
“We like to do a lot of community involvement. We do collections for various people and places that need diapers or school supplies or things like that. We donate that at our meetings to those events,” Cress said.
Cress also discussed the need for volunteers for the event as well as any interested future members. German ancestry is not required to join, and the club has a monthly dinner for members to enjoy.
For those interested in learning more about or volunteering for the German Oberlandler Club’s 50th Oktoberfest, visit the Facebook event page, check out the German Oberlandler Club’s website, or contact Brad Cress.
