Airmen invited to celebrate in first-ever Barksdale Oktoberfest

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sarah Kusek
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale personnel and their families are invited to celebrate a traditional Oktoberfest at the schlossplatz outside the Barksdale Club beginning at 5:30 pm. Oct. 3. The event is co-hosted by the Company Grade Officers Council, the Barksdale Club and AAFES and open to individuals over the age of 18 only.

"This will become one of the events the base looks forward to every year," said Col. West Anderson, 2nd Bomb Wing Vice Commander. "We are bringing some of the German traditions and atmosphere right here to Barksdale."

The first-ever celebration of its kind to be held here boasts a variety of German biers, wines, sauerkraut, brats, schnitzel, giant pretzels, German potato salad and Bavarian dinner rolls. Dinner will be served from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with music lasting into the late evening.

"There will be an authentic German Oompah band performing for four hours as well as a DJ for entertainment," said 2nd Lt. Kimber Abuhamra, CGOC Oktoberfest chairperson. "We want everyone to mark it on their calendars and come to the base-wide German Oktoberfest to reward everyone for their hard work."

During the celebration there will be games and contests including a keg toss, brat eating contest, lederhosen and dirndls costume contest, songs and much more.

AAFES is selling items to help get participants in the celebratory mood such as Oktoberfest hats, wigs, noise makers and a variety of t-shirts at the base exchange. The main shoppette has also stocked German biers and wines for the season.

Entrance is free. Pre-purchased food tickets are $15 and include brat, schnitzel, German potato salad and sauerkraut, giant pretzels, two beers or sodas, and one signature souvenir stein. Tickets can be purchase at the BX from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday; the Barksdale Club from 8:30 a.m. to 3p.m. Monday-Friday, and Hanger 2 from 4 p.m. to close daily. Tickets will be $20 at the event.

"The all-inclusive food package is just like how they do it in Germany," said Colonel Anderson, a veteran himself of the celebration. "But the price is much more affordable. It's a superb value for the food alone, but if you consider the live band, DJ and host of other items the value is incredible."

Additional souvenir steins and a limited number of special Oktoberfest t-shirts are also available for purchase at the festival. AAFES will also be there to sell German chocolate cake and apple strudel for those who desire a taste of the "old country's" desserts as well as souvenirs and festival supplies.

Parking will be available at the 8th Air Force Museum, the Barksdale Club and Barksdale Federal Credit Union. Taxis and Airmen Against Drunk Driving will be on hand to ensure patrons get home safely afterwards. 

According to Colonel Anderson, the base has a large number of members who have had tours in Europe and are very familiar with Oktoberfest. This celebration will be a welcome memory to them and a new experience for the rest of the Barksdale community.

"This is one of those events you will not want to miss," he said.

For more information, call Lt. Abuhamra at 456-2471. For available babysitters, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center, 456-8400.