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Temple Terrace News

Church Plans Its Annual Oktoberfest Celebration

Posted Oct 18, 2006 by Suzanne Schmidt

Updated Oct 18, 2006 at 10:48 AM

By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT
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Fans of bratwurst and German music will have cause to celebrate Oct. 21 during the seventh annual Oktoberfest event at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 304 Druid Hills Road.
The four-hour event, which begins at 2 p.m., will include live music, food, games, pony rides, a craft fair and more.
The celebration is under the direction of the Rev. Wally Meyer, who organized the church’s first Oktoberfest when he first came to Temple Terrace seven years ago.
Meyer speaks fluent German and has traveled to Germany about 20 times in the past 21 years. He loves the language, culture and gives a sermon in German the second Sunday of every month at 3 p.m.
“The worship is followed by coffee and Kurchen,” Meyer said. “It gives us a chance to speak German together. I have made many trips to Germany. Many times I am working and it is a real growth experience every time I go.”
Meyer is teaching children in the church’s school to sing German songs for the festival.
“I am teaching the 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds to sing together and the first- and second-graders to sing,” Meyer said. “Having the children sing is always a big hit. It is a good day.”
A band made up of two clarinet players, a trumpet and trombone player, a tuba player and Meyer on the accordion, will play German folk music.
German food will be served with a $9 bratwurst meal and a $5 hot dog meal. Both meals will include a dessert made by a volunteer at the church.
The logo for the event is Martin Luther, the namesake of the Lutheran Church, playing the accordion and saying “Music drives away the devil and makes people cheerful.”
Vickie Sufka, chairwoman for fellowship at the church, said the festival is all about fellowship, which is why she is coordinating it.
“It will be a great family event,” Sufka said. “It will be a nice way for people to get together and have fun. Families can come and play games together.”
The games will include sack races, a bubble gum-blowing contest, water balloon tossing and turkey bowling.
Other activities will include basketball, a slide and a climbing wall.
In addition to the fun and games, there will be a craft fair with about 20 vendors.
“It will give people a chance to start early on their Christmas shopping,” Sufka said. “We will also have a professional juggler walking around, face painting, pony rides and grab bags for children.”
The event is free except for the meal tickets and the games and pony rides tickets. 
“We are not looking to raise any money,” said Susan Asprey, public relations coordinator for the church. “We just want to offer fun and fellowship. We want people to get together and have a good time.”
Volunteers from the church will also make many cakes for the cake walk.
“It is a friendly congregation,” Sufka said. “People will bring in cakes and there will be numbers on the floor. It is basically a game of musical chairs where people get to win a cake.”
Parking will be at the church and overflow parking will be available at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, 502 Druid Hills Road, with a shuttle to the festival.
On Nov. 3, GOTNET The Dutch Soundwaves, an internationally acclaimed brass orchestra from Venray, the Netherlands, will perform at the church. A potluck dinner will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert.
For more information, call 988-4025.

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