With the changing weather, it’s time to do a “Zigge Zagge, Zigge Zagge, Hoi! hoi! Hoi!” – the end of the song “Ein Prosit” and a common toast heard during Oktoberfest and in Bavarian and German Bierhauses. Joy is for health and wellness, and it’s sure to be heard throughout the day at the Kingwood Oktoberfest scheduled for Saturday, October 15th.
Organizers at Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, 1901 Woodland Hills Dr., have hosted the event since 2016 and hope this year’s offering will be better than ever.
“We’ve improved how we run the event and also added some new things, which are always evolving,” said event chairman Dale MacNaughton.
The German connection for the church comes from the founding priest, Martin Luther, who ushered in the Reformation period and Protestantism.
Since Kingwood’s Oktoberfest was created in 2016, the event has drawn enthusiasm and a growing group of fun-seeking revelers drawing 1,000 the first year and growing to 1,400 last year after canceling the 2020 event due to the COVID pandemic.
Christy Janacek, minister of communications and community engagement, said they draw visitors from all over the area and into the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Since Oktoberfest coincides with the ongoing Texas Renaissance Festival, they also attract some of these visitors to their event.
“It’s not uncommon to see them in their Lederhosen and hats,” Janacek said.
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The oldest church in Kingwood, Holy Comforter was founded in 1968. The congregation moved to its current facility in 1974 and is currently undergoing a renovation.
“We are doing some renovations on our campus, including a repaved parking lot, the buildings have been re-roofed and the exterior of the facility has been repainted,” MacNaughton said.
The church will now discern how to move forward with renovations to the narthex and sanctuary areas.
“All of this to show that we are a welcoming church and make sure our facilities are safe for everyone,” he said, including provisions for people with disabilities.
Here’s a look at what patrons will find during the festival:
beer garden
The Biergarten is one of the premiere venues for most adults who find themselves under one of the 40-by-60-foot tents with tables and chairs. DECA, a Porter, Texas company, will provide the craft beer for the event.
“We try to use local craft beer suppliers,” the president said.
They will sell several styles of 12-ounce pours, including a light beer, a darker German Dunkel ale, with a relatively low alcohol volume of about 4.5 to 5 percent. Each beer is $5 served in a mug.
Shoppers can purchase Oktoberfest glasses or an Oktoberfest koozie to fit the 12-ounce mug.
Non-drinkers can enjoy soft drinks and water available for $1 each.
No Oktoberfest would be complete without the traditional bratwurst for $5 or two hot dogs for $5, both available with sauerkraut. Additionally, large German pretzels are also available for $5 and fries are $1 per bag. For those with a sweet tooth, there will also be baked goods for sale.
dancing
In their fifth year at the festival, polka-style music will be provided by Texas Sound Check, formerly known as the City Polka Boys. They have been a staple in the polka community for over 50 years. The group has played numerous festivals and private events throughout the state, including the National Polka Festival in North Texas.
Leading the dance will be the students of the Kingwood High School German Club who will perform several times throughout the evening. Professor David Kniess will bring his Opel sedan decked out in German flags and other decorations parked on campus for display.
“The student dancers have been state champions and so it’s worth the visit just to see them. They are very good at what they do and are a great draw for our event,” Janacek said.
When the band takes a break, DJ Rick Janacek of Club Foyer DJ Services will spin a variety of tunes to keep the festival crowd pumped up.
“He’s a member of the church and my husband,” Janacek smiled.
Children’s entertainment
Children can enjoy bounce houses, a selection of games, a maze, face painting, craft stations, slides and clowns. A past favorite activity has been rock walling.
“At some festivals, you have to buy a ticket for each of these types of kids’ areas, but the ticket price gets all the kids into that area,” MacNaughton said.
Tickets for the event are $8 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Advance tickets go on sale next week and can be purchased online. Tickets are also available at the door. Credit, debit or cash cards are accepted.
Halfway through the event, organizers will award the winners of the best costume at Kingwood’s Oktoberfest with awards at 3 p.m.
“We want to provide entertainment and we want people to come and enjoy themselves, but also be aware of the greater good, the bigger picture of serving others for Christ,” Janacek said.
Approximately 100 volunteers are needed to successfully run the event, and Janacek said they are still looking for volunteers. People interested in volunteering can visit the Kingwood Oktoberfest website where they can find various volunteer opportunities and select which two-hour shift they prefer.
“It’s a lot of fun and everyone makes a difference and people enjoy being a part of the Kingwood Oktoberfest,” Janacek said.
The Kingwood Oktoberfest will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at Holy Comforter Lutheran Church in Kingwood. For more information, visit kwoktoberfest.org.
dtaylor@hcnonline.com
