Calabash Oktoberfest

Most people have heard of the term  "Oktoberfest" and most likely associate it with Munich/Germany and lots of beer drinking. However, there is more to it.

Oktoberfest has its roots in a wedding celebration in 1810 on the outskirts of Munich when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxon-Hildburghausen. The celebration started the last week of September and

continued into the first weekend in October. Hence the name "Oktoberfest". To this date the Oktoberfest in Munich starts on the third weekend in September and ends on the first weekend in October.

Many copies of Oktoberfest are celebrated all over the world including the United States and North Carolina. Since North Carolina boasts a population of one million with German heritage this is no surprise.

Oktoberfest brings people of all ages together. Strangers sit at the same table and talk, laugh and sing together and may even meet again next year for the same occasion.

The idea of an Oktoberfest in Calabash came from a transplanted Bavarian now living in Calabash in 2014. After some opposition and perseverance of the "Bavarian" the Calabash Lions adopted the idea especially when a very generous Calabash property owner offered the perfect plot for a fair like Oktoberfest. It took a lot of detailed planning since funds were scarce and there was always the risk of no interest in the community. But they came, liked it and, hopefully, will come again to the 10th Annual Calabash Oktoberfest.