Oktoberfest In The Books

Volunteers spend hours on the food line serving thousands of visitors to Beethoven during the two-weekend Oktoberfest celebration. (Photo courtesy Gabby Mata, San Antonio Current)

San Antonio became a little more German over the past two weekends. That's because Beethoven Maennerchor drew thousands of visitors from all over the state to the hall and garten for its traditional - and exceptionally unique - Oktoberfest!

Beethoven's own Maennerchor, Damenchor, Kinderchor, and Concert Band helped put people in the Oktoberfest spirit. But they also had help from the Fire on the Mountain Cloggers, the UTSA Tuba Quartet, the Beethoven Dance Band, and the ever-popular Sing-Alongs that feature the choirs and the crowd singing traditional German songs together. 

The four-night celebration, which got underway Oct. 2 with KSAT's Adam Caskey trying his hand again at the tapping of the keg, which turned the Beethoven garten into a a magical place where friends and family joined together to celebrate their bonds and make new ones. The difficult tapping was not Adam's fault. A piece of metal held the beer in. Adam gave it a valiant effort!

"That's what it's all about," said Ken Weber, vice president of the Beethoven Maennerchor. "Songs, tradition, families, food and friends bring people back year after year."

Beethoven is a place that tends to do that to people. This fall festival isn't the only time, or reason, people come around. It's a year-round club that performs service in the community, participates in numerous Sängerfests throughout the region, state, and across the nation, and gives back to the public through cultural outreach.

Though, none of that would happen were it not for the weekly practices and fellowship that Beethoven members hold sacred. Each Tuesday, on member night, men, women and children come to the club to rehearse their music, talk and plan upcoming events, and develop lasting relationships.

"It's extremely satisfying to watch people hold onto their heritage in such an active way," said Mark Trevino, a member and publicity committee spokesperson. "This place exists because of the heritage aspect. But it doesn't stop at that. Members here preserve their past by showing up every week and doing the work it takes to keep Beethoven running," Trevino said.

People came from all over the state, and the nation, to experience Oktoberfest as only Beethoven can provide.

Lisa Soper found Beethoven five years ago through the website. She lives in the Texas panhandle.

"We came, had a great time, and we're back this year," she said excitedly. "When we do have a chance to have a vacation, this is where we come."

Soper brings her whole family to Beethoven. She said she chooses Beethoven over other similar events because of the atmosphere, and because the crowd is friendly and minds their manners. And she loves the ending to the popular "Ein Prosit."

"Everybody was screaming Ziggy Zaggy Ziggy Zaggy, Oi, Oi, Oi!" Soper said.

Although Oktoberfest is over, check out the Beethoven Facebook page for photos and the San Antonio Current's slideshow of Oktoberfest. A full list of fall activities is on the horizon as the year enters its last few months. 

Come on down to the hall anytime. Plenty of folks will be happy to tell you: Guten Tag!