By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
New Bern Breakfast Rotary Charities are delighted to be hosting the 10th annual B/S/H/Oktoberfest celebration! You could even say they are positively “hocherfreut!” By the way, that’s German for “thrilled!”
Oktoberfest was first celebrated over 200 years ago as a wedding celebration in Munich, Germany between Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The tradition continued annually and evolved into the famed beer festival and fair that is enjoyed throughout many parts of the world today.
New Bern’s Oktoberfest event will be held on Saturday, September 25th, 2021 at the North Carolina History Center, located at 529 S. Front Street in downtown New Bern. The event begins at 6:00pm and wraps up around 10:00pm.
“It is always a pleasure to plan a fundraiser that not only comes with a rousing good time, but also provides the means for doing so much good in our community,” says Oktoberfest Committee Chair Barbara Belon. “I look at our Oktoberfest as an ‘enabler’ which allows the New Bern Breakfast Rotary Club to be financially prepared for not just the annual scholarships, support for area non-profits and children’s shoe purchases, but for any ‘unexpected surprises’ where our club can step in and assist.”
This fundraising event—a longtime fall favorite for New Bern residents and visitors—features traditional German-style fare, including bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, giant Bavarian pretzels and German mustard, all catered by the Chelsea. Interact, the student club associated with New Bern Breakfast Rotary, will be selling raffle tickets during the dinner. Beer is provided by Coastal Beverage and will feature special holiday Oktoberfest drafts. Wine and other types of beer selections will also be available for purchase, as will a variety of sodas and water.
In addition to the great food, one of the highlights of the event is the Harbour Towne Fest Band, who hail from Wilmington, NC. This special group of performers are a full-size authentic Oktoberfest Blaskapelle band that only showcase their talent during the holiday season. With over 25 years of performance experience, they also wear authentic Oktoberfest costumes with lederhosen and dirndl. Audiences enjoy interacting and dancing with the band as the spirit of the celebration resonates through the music.
The festival also offers up a challenge to men and women willing to compete in a traditional Bavarian contest of strength: Masskrugstemmen. Pronounced “MAHSS-kroof-stem-men,” the contest translates to beer Steinholding. The rules are pretty straightforward: a one liter stein glass is held straight out with one arm in front of the chest and whomever can hold it the longest wins. It weighs about five pounds. For men, average times are about five minutes; for women, about two minutes. So…if the idea of delayed beer satisfaction combined with significant discomfort sounds right up your alley, this is your moment! Prost!
The availability of ticketing this year is being improved by adding an outdoor kiosk on the day of the gathering, as well as sales at the farmer’s market in downtown New Bern on the two weekends prior to the event (September 11th and 18th). Tickets can be purchased online at NewBernRotary.org. Local ticketing outlets include:
Mitchell Hardware at 215 Craven St.
Coastal Sole at 2122 Trent Blvd.
Panichelli’s Pizzeria at 40 Shoreline Dr.
New Bern Farm & Garden at 1309 Old Cherry Point Rd.
Famous Restaurant & Bakery at 2210 Neuse Blvd.
UPS Stores at 1822 Glenburnie Rd. and 2024 Waterscape Way
Ticket prices are $25.00 for advanced sales and $30.00 at the door and include entrance to the festival, a full meal and one beverage; active duty military with valid ID is $20.00; kids 6-12 are $5.00 (5 and under are free).
But this event represents more than just a fun Germanic tradition and a New Bern community celebration – it is an important fundraiser for the New Bern Breakfast Rotary Charities. For example, each year their project Kicks-for-Kids donates over 300 pairs of shoes in the fall for elementary and middle school children throughout Craven County.
Deedra Durocher, who is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Oktoberfest event, shared a few of thank you notes written by the children:
“My new shoes are so cool and amazing. I try to keep them as clean as I can because they are bright white. I’m glad you gave us the opportunity to pick our shoes because mine fit very well! I’m thankful that you went out of your way to donate shoes for me and other students when we didn’t have good shoes to begin with. I will cherish these shoes and what you did to get them for me.”
“My new shoes are soooo pretty. It really helps me a lot and it helps my family. I wear them every day for school and I am proud of my shoes. Thank you again.”
“Without volunteers from our membership, family and friends, this event would not be possible,” says Deedra Durocher. “We’re also pleased to have the Rotary Interact students from Epiphany helping us. As the signature fundraiser for our club, this is an ‘all hands of deck’ event. Since Rotarians regularly volunteer for a variety of activities in our community, my job is an easy one.”