Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810, and the royals invited the public to celebrate on the fields outside the Munich city walls. The festivities included a horse race, swings for the children, and, of course, lots of beer. That gathering is remembered today as the start of Oktoberfest, a festival now celebrated worldwide.
So pull on your dirndl, hitch up those lederhosen, and head to Christ Lutheran Church (701 N. Indiana Avenue) for its Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the freshly updated Fellowship Hall. No horse race this time, but you’ll still find bratwursts and other German goodies, beer for purchase, and catchy tunes from the Bayischer Bu’am.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for ages 16 and under. The price includes an all-you-can-eat dinner and dessert along with musical entertainment by the Bayischer Bu’am.
Organizers encourage guests to wear traditional costumes, with prizes awarded for the best Dirndl and Lederhosen. A chicken dance is planned, and families, friends, and neighbors are invited to join the festivities. Tickets will be available in the church narthex or by calling 603-475-3492.
Photo, (l-r): Anita, Ingrid, Pastor Ken, Donna, Nancy, and Bob.
