Holloman gears up for Oktoberfest 2010

  • Published
  • By the 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Officials with the German Air Force and the 49th Wing are preparing for the 14th annual Oktoberfest set for Saturday, Sept. 25, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the GAF Maintenance Hangar.

For this year's event, the last pick-up in Alamogordo will be at 8:30 p.m. and for one day only -- Sunday, Sept. 12 -- tickets can be purchased at Sam's Club in Las Cruces.

Tickets for the event, which is open to the public, are $12 and can be purchased off base at all Otero Federal Credit Unions and the Chamber of Commerce. On base purchases are available at the community center, outdoor recreation and the German Air Force headquarters building, room 2231. Individuals will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets the day of the event at the event gate for $15.

Included in the price of admission is a beer stein and first filling, in addition with a bus shuttle service to and from Holloman.

The event will include original and authentic German food such as bratwurst, schnitzel, potato salad and pretzels as well as soft drinks and Oktoberfest beer. This year's band is "Die Lustigen Eyachtaler" -- who performed last year -- and will feature polkas, blasmusik, oldies, swing and modern hits.

Shuttle service will be provided with stops at the White Sands Mall, Mosswood Avenue, 1-800-Flowers, the Chamber of Commerce, the Alameda Park Zoo, the old Wal-Mart, Jack Key, Lowes Grocery Store and Las Ventanas apartments on First Street, Coldwell Banker on Scenic Drive, Desert Lakes Road, South Florida Ave., Shooters and several other locations. Four routes will run in order to accommodate everyone wishing to attend.

Individuals who do not possess a military or dependent I.D. must take the buses to get on base. Tickets and a form of identification are required for entry.

Additionally, smoking will not be permitted inside the hangar.

The history of the Oktoberfest in Germany began with the Royal Wedding on October 12, 1810. Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The fields were renamed "Theresienwiese" ("Theresa's Fields") to honor the Crown Princess. Horse races in the presence of the royal family marked the close of the event that was celebrated as a festival for Bavaria. The decision to repeat the horse races in subsequent years gave rise to the tradition of Oktoberfest.

Today, the German version of Oktoberfest is the biggest fair in the world and is known worldwide. What's special and attractive about the Oktoberfest is its ability to combine a celebration for the locals and an international mega-event, a combination of traditions and high-tech new ideas and influences.

And why does Oktoberfest start in September? Well, it does finish in October, but due to the cool weather in Germany, the organizers decided it would be better to start it on the third weekend in September.

For more information, contact GAF public affairs at 572-2612.