Y’s Men’s Club plans Oktoberfest family fun event

Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 5, 2015

It’s that time of year to pull out the lederhosen and celebrate the great German tradition of Oktoberfest.

A family-oriented Oktobertfest is coming to Vicksburg from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, 1302 Adams St.

“We wanted something fun for the people of Vicksburg, another activity for the community, and we also wanted to try something different,” said Keith Flowers, planning committee member of the Vicksburg Y’s Men’s Club. “We think it’s going to be very successful. We think it could be a lot of fun for years to come.”

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The club is hosting the new fundraiser this fall to raise money for improvements at the Warner-Tully Memorial YMCA Camp. Rich Feibelman, committee chairman, said the latest project the group is funding is a pavilion to cover the basketball court, where many camp activities occur.

“Right now, it’s where all the registration and everything happens. It’s where activities occur during the days,” Feibelman said. “By covering that, it helps with inclement weather. It’s obviously hot in the summertime so it gives them some shade so they can do some of those activities.”

Admission is $20, and children 12 and under get in free with an adult. Once admitted, festivalgoers receive 20 tickets they can use on food and beverages. People who pre-purchase admission at the Vicksburg YMCA will get five extra food and beverage tickets.

“It’s on a Sunday afternoon in late September, as a traditional Oktoberfest event would be, and we have German music, got lots of activities for the kids. We got some activities for the adults,” Feibelman said.

A fare of bratwurst, hot dogs, sauerkraut, pretzels and a variety of beers and sodas will be presented in exchange for the tickets. Additional tickets will be available at the event.

Live music by folk German band Die Mitternachters from Birmingham, Ala., will fill the air as kids and adults alike participate in multiple activities and games.

A bouncy house, an inflatable slide, the high striker game and face and pumpkin painting will be available to put people in a festive fall atmosphere. Tickets are not necessary for the activities.

“I’m just excited about seeing everybody out there having a good time,” Flowers said. “I’m from Vicksburg, and I love bringing activities into town.”

The festival is a way for the community to come together and spend a Sunday afternoon with their families.

“I’m excited about a Sunday afternoon, community, family-oriented get together. … Just looking forward to a beautiful, cool, sunny afternoon with lots of kids running around and families having a good time and enjoying a festival atmosphere,” Feibelman said.

This is the first year the Y’s Men have held an Oktoberfest fundraiser, and they want it to become an annual event. Feibelman said they have started small and plan to learn from this first year to make the event grow over time.

“Our expectation is that this will be the foundation for an annual event,” Feibelman said. “We’ll improve it over the years.”

He said the club would continue it’s annual pancake breakfast in April.

For more information, email the Vicksburg Y’s Men’s Club at ysmenvicksburg@gmail.com.