October is a month of transition in the United States as most areas of the nation witness cooler temperatures, shorter days, and autumn colors. The month of October is also notable for one other very important reason: Oktoberfest celebrations, many of which are held in numerous cities across the USA. The Gulf city of Galveston, Texas happens to have an Oktoberfest of its own, and I happened to pay a visit to this event for the first time on Saturday, October 24, 2009, walking away with mixed feelings overall.
First, let’s discuss the facts. The Galveston Octoberfest is normally held on the last full weekend of October each year and is a two- day event that kicks off on Friday and ends Saturday evening. The First Lutheran Church of Galveston sponsors the event and it is held around the church area, in downtown Galveston.The year 2009 marks the twenty- eight celebration of this event in the coastal city of Galveston.
I had never attended this festival in the past, so I made my entry to the event with an open mind and a sense of anticipation. I have attended many different Oktoberfest celebrations across the United States and I have witnessed my share of good and bad. The Galveston Oktoberfest falls somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. It is a little bit smaller than I expected, covering sections of four small blocks around the First Lutheran Church. It includes a covered section with tables, seats, and live German music; a few food vendors; and a few beer stands complete with several taps each. There is also a sale of Oktoberfest- related goods held inside the church; an auction; sweet snacks sold under another tent; and a section designed especially for children, complete with bounce houses, obstacle course, slides, etc. Events vary slightly from year to year, so there could be slightly more or less in the future.
Galveston’s Oktoberfest packs many people into a small space and thus it can get very crowded. Like I said, this is one of the smaller Oktoberfests I have attended and the lack of space combined with a few thousand attendees makes for a bumpy experience. But probably the greatest disappointment with the 2009 Galveston Oktoberfest is the lack of authentic German beer. I found Hofbrau and Hofbrau Oktoberfest offered for sale, but other than this, the majority of the other products were standard American swill. By my estimation, there were only about twelve to fifteen different beer products available for consumption. Food supplies were also somewhat limited. I found a booth selling German sausage, sauerkraut, and the usual side dishes, along with another section selling s full plate of German food that included red cabbage and German potato salad. But there was little else and the only alternative foods offered (besides the sweets) were hamburgers and hot dogs.
I like that the Galveston Oktoberfest includes a section just for kids. This makes it much easier to keep the little ones occupied during a festival that is generally designed for the adult crowd. I also like the many gifts offered for sale inside the church. They offered the usual beer steins and other items typical of other Oktoberfests, but there were also some other, more interesting and unique gift items and souvenirs.
Admission to the Galveston Oktoberfest is free. Parking is also free, and it is easy to find parking within a short walking distance of the event. The event doesn’t offer much in the way of security, but it didn’t appear to be necessary, based on my experience. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits as they enjoyed their food and drink and listened to the music.
I recommend taking some time to visit the Galveston Oktoberfest if you happen to be in Galveston or the Houston metropolitan area and want some inexpensive fun and entertainment. It isn’t the greatest Oktoberfest I have ever experienced and the German beer is sorely lacking. But the admission and parking are free, the entertainment is lively, and the children can have fun while mom and dad enjoy their German sausage and pint of Hofbrau Oktoberfest. It isn’t worth going out of one’s way to attend, but it is worth a stop if you happen to be nearby the city of Galveston toward the end of October.
Rating: 6 Cheers out of 10
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