|
Beer, sausage and ‘oompah’ music on tap
From staff reports
The Daily News
Published September 27, 2009
Oktoberfest is a traditional festival in Galveston, brought by Geraman immigrants in the 19th century. George F. Black, a member of the board of directors of Oktoberfest and of The Lyceum on Galveston Island, talked about the event.
Q: How did the tradition of Oktoberfest get started in Galveston?
A: Being a congregation that tracked its roots back to the German immigrants of the mid-1800s, the folks decided to celebrate Oktoberfest as a fall activity for the congregation and friends. Started in the courtyard of the Parish House, the number of friends grew and grew until it has become the citywide event that it is today. More than 10,000 “friends” now make sure that the last weekend in October is free so they can come to the Island Oktoberfest.
Q: How does today’s festival preserve those traditions?
A: Strudel and homemade cakes and sweets of all kinds baked by the congregants, both the ladies and the men, are still one of the biggest hits of the event. Donald Gangl’s apple cake and Helmut’s Strudel are the first things that folks search out when they get there. And, of course, you can’t have an Oktoberfest without sauerkraut and red cabbage and hot german potato salad and knackwurst and bratwurst. Finally, Alpenfest returns with the German Oompah music.
Q: What’s the highlight of this year’s event?
A: The Lyceum of Galveston Island! Completely restored, this is First Lutheran’s gift to the community.
It will be the site of the shopping venue, featuring vendors who specialize in high-end handmade items, particularly timely due to the need for Christmas gift shopping at this time.
Q: Can you tell us about the beer?
w Co-sponsored by Del Papa Distributing, Oktoberfest will feature new German-style beer offerings this year. Ziegenbock, a perennial favorite, will be joined by Hofbrauhaus of Munich Germany. Another favorite, introduced two years ago, is the Pumpkin Spice Ale produced in limited quantity. We run out of that ale each year early.
Q: How did the Lyceum come about?
A: The Lyceum was the first public reading room in Texas, and was located at the corner of 25th and Winnie streets facing the U.S. Court House and Postoffice building. In the 1850s, the new German Evangelical Church congregation purchased the Lyceum and moved it to 24th and Winnie streets and it became the first sanctuary for the new congregation. After building a larger facility in the 1860s, the Lyceum was used as the Sunday school building. Surviving the 1900 Storm, the main sanctuary and the Lyceum were badly damaged in the 1915 storm. The Lyceum was moved to the back to the property and attached to the main sanctuary. You will find that to be the structure of today. The original cornerstone of the Lyceum will be displayed in a prominent position in the restored Lyceum of Galveston Island.
+++
At A Glance
WHAT: Island Oktoberfest
WHEN: Oct. 23-24; On Friday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; On Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: 24th and Winnie streets, downtown Galveston
COST: Free admission
FOR INFORMATION: Contact First Lutheran Church at 409-762-8477 or visit Galveston.com
+++
In Texas City
The ninth annual Oktoberfest By The Bay will begin at 11 a.m. Oct. 10 at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2021 29th St. N., in Texas City. Call Debbie Healy, 409-256-9813 or 409-945-4052.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter |
Comment
|
|
|
