HAYS — The 44th annual Hays Oktoberfest will take place Sept. 30 in Municipal Park.
This German celebration honoring heritage, history and homecoming is sponsored by the Volga German Society of Ellis County and Rush County, along with the Sunflower Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, and the Ellis County Historical Society.
The Ellis County Historical Society’s Honor our Heritage starts at 8:30 a.m. with historical demonstrators and interpreters. Food booths open at 9 a.m. and the keg is tapped at 11:30 a.m. by Mayor Shaun Musil.
Hays Oktoberfest promotes the rich heritage of the Volga German and Bukovina Germans who settled in Ellis County. It also celebrates the history of early settlers in Ellis County, which was created in 1867. The event is held on Fort Hays State University Homecoming weekend and this year also coincides with Hays High’s Homecoming. The booths at the Hays Oktoberfest all support not for profit organizations.
Entertainment this year will feature the Joe Dolezal Band starting at 9:30 a.m. and the Ron Werth Band starting at 3 p.m. Historical interpretation of beer making by a German farmer will be on stage following the tapping of the keg. There will also be a “get mugged” game booth which gives people the opportunity to win past Oktoberfest mugs.
For more information about Hays Oktoberfest call Jaime at the Ellis County Historical Society, 785-628-2624, or email curator@elliscountyhistoricalsociety.org.