By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
The 32nd annual Oktoberfest will take place at the Whitehead Memorial Museum on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 10 p.m.
This year’s celebration will blend old and new traditions. Michael Diaz, the museum’s executive director, spoke with The 830 Times about what guests can expect.
Diaz said Oktoberfest and Cajun Fest, held in April, are the museum’s two major annual fundraisers. Both help support its mission to preserve the history of Val Verde County.
“We invite the community to come (to the event); this is our fundraiser. The main purpose is to support the museum. We have fun all night, but the main purpose is to raise funds,” Diaz said. “We want to thank all the sponsors who helped this year, and thank everybody who actually came to buy a ticket and show up because they are supporting the museum.”
The menu will include three kinds of sausage, sauerkraut, German potato salad, coleslaw and sausage kolaches. Cake and cookies will be served for dessert. German and Oktoberfest beers will be available, along with Arizona teas, sodas and water. Diaz said all the food is made at the Whitehead.
The Seven Dutchmen Orchestra will return to perform. Diaz said the New Braunfels band has a long relationship with the museum and encourages guests to dance.
The Oktoberfest raffle is also returning. Diaz said the museum brought it back in response to popular demand. Among the 15 prizes are a Whataburger gift card for one year, a one-night stay in a business-class room at the Ramada Inn with a breakfast buffet for two, and a $50 Cripple Creek gift card. Raffle tickets cost $5 each or three for $10.
New this year is a stein-holding contest. Participants will hold a pitcher of water for as long as possible. Two contests will be held during the evening, and each winner will receive a decorative beer stein from the Whitehead. Entry is free. Diaz said the museum added the contest to encourage more “audience participation.”
Advance tickets are $35 through 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets at the door will cost $45. Tickets can be purchased through the Whitehead Memorial Museum’s website.
