Dana Point’s Oktoberfest brings merrymaking locals together to celebrate ‘bier’
Dana Point celebrated their third annual Oktoberfest this past Saturday where thousands gathered together to drink a whole lot of beer, and to enjoy one another’s company. The festival, which was presented by Spaten, was held at Sea Terrace Park located directly being the city library from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. All ages were welcome to this event, and many families joined together to enjoy the music, dancing, eating and drinks offered.
The 5th Marine volunteers, a non profit organization, also helped with the pouring of beer and helped raise funds for Marine sailors and families, according to Patti Short, board member of the 5th marine regiment support group.
Oktoberfest is German festival that is now celebrated throughout many cities in the United States. The entertainment, food, beer and music is a combination of both American and German traditions. Many individuals dressed in traditional leaderhosen to celebrate the German holiday.
Entertainment:
Most of the entertainment was hosted by the Pieter Meister, who is known to be best the entertainer, and most energetic. He was raised in the streets of California, but has been trained in many German beer factories. Pieter flew out to Dana Point from Germany just to celebrate the annual festival. Much of the entertainment involved were contests, beer chugging, traditional songs, chicken dancing, musical chairs, dance parties and sausage tossing.
Food:
Multiple food vendors came out with both traditional American and German food. Many of the traditional German foods were Bratwurst, Beer Brats, Sauerkraut, Pretzels, Knockwurst, Rotisserie, Pork Chops marinated in beer and German potatoes.
Beer:
The cost of the first beer was $20 in which you received a little over a pint sized beer mug, party beads, and a beer ticket. Refill tickets were available for $8.
The list of beer offered was: Spaten premium lager, Spaten Oktoberfest, Spaten-Dunkel, Spaten Optimator, Beck’s Oktoberfest, Beck’s, Franziskaner Weissbier, Franziskaner Dunkel, Widmer Hefeweizen, Shock Top Belgian White, Coronado Islander IPA, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Kona Hawaii.
Soft drinks and water were also sold at various vendors. Many people had the pleasure to enjoy the variety of beers provided, some even a little too much.
Music:
Bavarian Beer Garden Band played music played from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. where many people danced around and enjoyed traditional German music. Warsaw Poland Bros took the stage from 3:30 p.m. and stayed until the end.
Over 7,000 people attended Oktoberfest this year, making it as the 5th marine volunteers would say an “overall complete success.”
