JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. - –
For more than 15 years, men in lederhosen and women in the dirndl have danced traditional German dances, filled their plates high with bratwurst, turkey legs and potato salad and raised steins full of traditional German beer with a toast of "Prost!" to celebrate the annual Oktoberfest at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
The celebration, hosted by the 733rd Force Support Division, came to life Sept. 19 for over 900 members of the Fort Eustis community.
"Many of our military community have experienced Oktoberfest while stationed in Germany," said Joseph Dumas, 733rd FSD Community Services flight chief. "Hosting Oktoberfest on the installation is a great way to get the community to come out and relax, spend time with friends and family, and share memories of their experiences in Europe."
A traditional "Oompah" band, The Happy Dutchmen, performed for the third consecutive year, playing songs like "Edelweis," "Schitzelbank" and "Ein Prosit." Members of the band walked through the crowd and invited attendees to join in traditional German dances, such as "Der Ententanz", or the "Chicken Dance."
The food, drink, music and dancing played a small role in the traditional celebration held on the installation each year. The event also included a "Kinderfest" fall festival for children, featuring a hay ride, bouncy houses, face painting and balloon animals.
"Events like this are a great way for family members of all ages to get together and have fun," said U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Godbold, Aviation Logistics Noncommissioned Officer Academy student. "With the Kinderfest, kids can have fun and learn about the German culture, while parents can reminisce over fond memories of their times overseas."
In Germany, Oktoberfest is more than just a festival for drinking, but a celebration of the beginning of fall for everyone to enjoy. Through food, "Oompah" music, dancing and games, the members of the Fort Eustis community can expect to toast "Prost!" for years to come with the continuation of the Oktoberfest tradition.