By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Oktoberfest returned to the Whitehead Memorial Museum on Saturday, bringing Bavarian-style food, live music and a new contest to the museum’s annual fall fundraiser.
Michael Diaz, the Whitehead’s executive director, said 308 guests attended. The event helps support the museum’s mission to preserve Val Verde County history.
“It has been a wonderful night. I think everyone has enjoyed all the music. There was plenty of food. People have been having fun,” Diaz said. “It was a lot of fun, and we are just so grateful to everyone who has supported the museum.”
The Oktoberfest raffle returned this year, and guests took part in a new stein-holding contest. Competitors held a pitcher of water for more than four minutes. Winners Nynell Centilli and Eric Roldan each received a decorated beer stein made by the Whitehead.
“It feels great (to have won the contest). I had a wonderful time here and just participating is just awesome. I didn’t think I was going to win, but you know I stuck it out as long as I could, so this is an awesome gift, and it feels awesome,” said Roldan, who has attended Oktoberfest for more than five years.
The Seven Dutchmen Orchestra returned from New Braunfels to perform. Trumpet player Jane Wilhelm said the band looks forward to making the trip each year.
“It’s really wonderful because it’s a long distance from where we are coming from, but every year we say, ‘It doesn’t matter.’ We love the community, and we love coming back here to play music,” Wilhelm said.
