"It's simple fun."
That's what Oktoberfest Coordinator Alison Martin said the event is all about.
Jefferson City had its 21st annual Oktoberfest on Saturday. The festival, like others around the country, is an American version of the Oktoberfest held in Munich, Germany.
While things weren't completely back to normal, Martin said, it felt close.
The crowd was comparable to previous years, said Old Munichberg Association Treasurer Melva Fast, but there were probably more children than normal.
"People aren't afraid of each other," Martin said. "Everybody's working together. They don't say 'No, I'm not going to do this.' If you don't want to come here, it's a volunteer activity."
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A Christmas Carol @ The Rep — 12.21
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre wrapped up the year with the musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story. The high-spirited and family friendly A Christmas Carol, The Musical played on The Rep’s stage right through Christmas weekend.
Laura Ward, OMA board member and Ward 2 councilwoman, said she had people from outside Jefferson City this week asking her about Oktoberfest.
The proceeds from Oktoberfest go toward the Old Munichberg Association, which is a neighborhood action group that funds beautification projects in Old Munichberg.
Along with German food and drink, Oktoberfest featured various food and craft vendors, a kids' corner, entertainment and the Mid-Mo Old Car Club Show.
Martin said Oktoberfest had 35 vendors this year, which is down from most years.
"I think it could be because of COVID," she said. "We had a good vendor, but she didn't show up, which impacted our sales and we ran out early."
OMA sold bratwurst and hot dogs, but ran out by 2 p.m. - about halfway through the festival.
The Mid-Mo Old Car Club Show included 126 participants with cars from various eras and makes.
The Old Car Club also handed out three scholarships to students going into automotive fields.
Allison Morrow, one of the scholarship recipients, is in her first year studying light duty diesel mechanics.
She said her uncle is a club member and thought it would be worth trying.
"I kind of want to get on the performance truck side a little bit more, but I would love to have an older Mustang or older Charger, like '60s," she said. "I've always been a Ford person."