7th Annual Phoenix Old World Oktoberfest expands authentic Germanic Cultural

Event to Two Days - October 5 & 6

Phoenix, Ariz. – (Aug. 29, 2012) In time to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the reinstatement of German-American Day by President Ronald Reagan October 6, 1987, the Arizona Center for Germanic Cultures expands its traditional Old World Phoenix Oktoberfest to two days this year, Oct. 5 and 6, at Margaret T. Hance Park (1134 N. Central Ave., Phoenix 85004) in downtown Phoenix. Friday, Oct. 5 is a Happy Hour-style event from 4 to 9 pm with special food and drink prices. Complimentary entrance to the festival is available Friday for Valley businesses and other group reservations. Saturday, Oct. 6 the festival runs from 12 noon to 9 pm, featuring live musical entertainment, dancing, a variety of competitions for all ages, vendors, a free “Kinder Village” children’s area, German cooking and other demonstrations, traditional German food, beer, wine, schnapps, and other Germanic traditions. 

Phoenix Old World Oktoberfest is hosted by the Arizona Center for Germanic Cultures (www.ac4gc.org) in partnership with members of Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix (www.graceinthecity.com). Arizona Center for Germanic Cultures (AC4GC) created the annual Phoenix Old World Oktoberfest in 2006 as a way to introduce German culture and traditions to Arizonans and visitors to the state. The AC4GC mission is to serve as a social outlet for the large and growing local Germanic community, raise funds to build a Germanic Cultural Center, and support German language education and cultural initiatives in the Valley, while providing a forum open to the general public to foster awareness of the contributions of Germanic peoples to the American fabric of life. The AC4GC also supports worthwhile local charities.

For the third year, the Phoenix Oktoberfest is partnering with Grace In the City (Grace Lutheran Church) to support outreach ministries for the homeless in Phoenix through proceeds of food sales. The menu features a traditional German pig roast with all the trimmings, plus other German favorites, including bratwursts, frankfurters, sauerkraut, apple strudel, and hand-rolled pretzels. Half of all proceeds from this year’s food sales will go to support Grace in the City’s summer Heat Respite program for the homeless.

And it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without several varieties of imported German beer, provided by Warsteiner, including two types of traditional Oktoberfest Bier this year -- Warsteiner’s Oktoberfest and Konig Ludwig’s Oktoberfest beers (both are Marzen style beers), as well as Warsteiner Pilsner and Dunkel (dark) beers, and Konig Ludwig’s award-winning Hefeweizen (“Most Refreshing Beer” Award at Great Arizona Beer Festival 2010).

Just as in old Bavaria where Oktoberfest originated, the traditional tapping of the keg kicks off the event’s opening ceremonies at 1 pm, Saturday, October 6, 2012, featuring a parade of dignitaries, the keg-tapping ceremony, live music, and Bavarian traditions. 

The original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, first organized as a "volksfest" celebrating Bavarian King Ludwig I’s marriage in 1810, continues to this day as a popular annual tradition. Commemorating the 200th anniversary in 2010, a German couple (the bride from Germany, and the groom American of German descent) were married at the Phoenix Oktoberfest and Grace Lutheran Church in traditional Bavarian attire. Arizona Center for Germanic Cultures is conducting a contest to find a new wedding couple, for an all-expense paid wedding at the 2012 Phoenix Oktoberfest, courtesy of AC4GC, Grace in the City and other sponsors.

The authenticity of the Phoenix Oktoberfest is enhanced by the musical entertainment, flown in from Germany especially for this occasion: Die Echten Waldbuam leads the crowd in traditional Oktoberfest sing-a-longs and Polka dances throughout the day and into the evening. Authenticity is important at the Phoenix Oktoberfest -- right down to details such as the long tables papered in Bavarian blue & white, where attendees can chat with neighbors and make new friends while singing along to old-time drinking songs.

This family-friendly event also includes a free Kinder Village featuring inflatables, plus games, contests and other interactive kids' activities, free all day.

Attendees can compete for fun and prizes in the annual raffle (benefiting AC4GC) and a variety of contests, including a Polka Dance Contest; “Best Dressed” of Oktoberfest; Beer Stein Holding Contest; and Alphorn Blowing for kids & adults. Contests are free to enter. 

“The Phoenix Oktoberfest is very appreciative of Henkel Corporation’s ongoing

sponsorship of this Germanic cultural event in the Valley,” says Event Chairman Christine Colley. “We also thank our other returning sponsors, including Warsteiner beer and Gundelsheim sauerkraut, and our event partner Grace Lutheran Church. We are proud to help support their great summer Heat Respite program for the homeless with this event.”

Attendees can stop by the Henkel booth to receive a free sample of the many consumer products on display, including Dial® soaps, Purex laundry detergents, Renuzit air fresheners, got 2b® hair styling products, Right Guard® antiperspirants and Loctite® adhesives.

The event is easily Light Rail accessible from the Roosevelt stop. Admission is $5 for adults, kids under 12 free. For more information visit www.phoenixoktoberfest.com or call (480) 947 PHXO (7490).

About Arizona Center for Germanic Cultures: The Arizona Center for Germanic Cultures, Inc. is a not for profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to establishing a place for people of Germanic background to share their traditions, history, contributions, culture and celebrations with their fellow Americans. www.ac4gc.org.

About Grace in the City (Grace Lutheran Church): As the oldest Lutheran church in Arizona, Grace celebrates its 100-year history in the heart of downtown Phoenix in February 2014. Grace embraces its mission to love and serve others through programs such as its summer Heat Respite program for the homeless. www.graceinthecity.com