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German American Club’s Oktoberfest again attracts big crowd

By CJ HADDAD - | Nov 11, 2021

The Europa Band plays under the big tent at Oktoberfest

One of Southwest Florida’s largest events returned last month in a big way, as the German American Club of Cape Coral’s Oktoberfest brought thousands from around the area and state to delve into the German culture and cheers, or prost, over two great weekends of festivities.

The 36th annual event over the final two weekends of October drew roughly 35,000 to the Bavarian Gardens that were transformed into the festival-like atmosphere of Munich, where beers were poured in abundance, copious amounts of food consumed and music and dancing late into the evening. All in all, 750 kegs of beer – mostly German imports – were consumed over the six-day celebration.

“It went as well as could be expected,” said GASC President Steve Bauer. “The attendance was great. We were a little worried whether or not the community would come out or was ready to come out. Our attendance was right where it usually is for a really successful event. We were very happy to have achieved that. And we also had six days of really favorable weather.”

The club served up traditional German cuisine such as bratwurst, bauernwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut, pretzels, potato pancakes, schnitzel and sauerbraten, along with other delectables from other vendors on site.

Music is at the heart of each year’s Oktoberfest, and there were three different areas to enjoy authentic German tunes throughout the entirety of the event.

This year’s line-up featured the Europa Band, Die Lustigen Almdudler, GASC’s very own Hafenkapelle, Manni Daum and Peter D. Also featured were local favorites the Hot Buttered Nuggets, The Boots and Deb & The Dynamics.

Attendees could not get enough of the non-stop foot-tapping music in the tent, the gardens and inside in Edelweiss Hall — something for every ear. And if you were unfamiliar with the steps to traditional German dance, you certainly learned a thing or two, as the popular chicken dance usually gets everyone on the dance floor.

“It’s our best chance to showcase the culture to the largest part of the community,” Bauer said. “We love to have new members. We want to continue to go strong. Having Oktoberfest also keeps our members invested, and our members greatly look forward to it each year.”

While there was no Ms. Oktoberfest 2021 crowned this year due to the pandemic, countless past Ms. Oktoberfests served as ambassadors for the event and were seen throughout both weekends in a variety of roles.

Bauer said the pageant is on track to take place again in July 2022.

“We were really happy with our former Ms. Oktoberfests getting together and almost forming a Ms. Oktoberfest committee,” Bauer said. “They really covered the event fantastically well, and so did our bands. Our German bands from the United States and our other bands, too. All of that is likely to stay consistent.”

The GASC is set to host a two-day Christmas Market in the beginning of December and in February in March, beer garden festivals. The GASC is also open to the public every Friday.

The German American Social Club is at 2101 SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. For more information, visit www.gasc-capecoral.com.

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj