Oktoberfest returns Oct. 13 at Holy Infant of Prague

For the eighth year, members of Holy Infant of Prague Catholic Church will combine their charitable efforts by hosting Oktoberfest. This year’s event is Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

After years of each church ministry hosting various fundraisers for local charity, Oktoberfest began in 2011 as a way to work together to draw a larger crowd and became an instant success.

“We were absolutely shocked the first year. We were expecting 200-300 people and we got thousands of people, and people were parking everywhere. We were completely unprepared for the community response to our first Oktoberfest. It was wonderful,” organizer Maria Kaczperski said.

In the years that have followed, Oktoberfest has had slight changes to make the family-friendly festival a greater success. While admission is free, the event raises funds through the sale of food, game and ride tickets, raffle tickets ($5 each or six for $25) and the sale of items at Grandma’s Attic and Grandma’s Front Porch, which includes homemade jellies, jams, pickles, candies, breads and more. 

Live music will be provided by German Oktoberfest musician Wolfgang Moritz, with dancing encouraged. 

One addition this year is an unlimited games and rides bracelet for $15. Games include KnockerBall, Defender Dome, 5-in-1 sports, an obstacle course, pony and horseback rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting and more. Individually, rides and games range from $0.50 to $4 each. 

Food costs are $10 for a meat (German sausage or barbecue pork) and two-side platter, $8 for a Kaiser plate or $5 for a hot dog plate. Other snacks and desserts will also be available. 

“Everything we make goes to charity. This is all done for local area charities. People can feel good about spending their money to have their kids have a great day, plus all of that money is going to helping the Trussville community,” Kaczperski said.

Profits from the event will be divided between Trussville Ecumenical Assistance Ministry (T.E.A.M.), Trussville Special Olympics, Boy Scouts, Independence House and the Holy Infant of Prague church fund. Oktoberfest will also collect food for T.E.A.M., with each bag of nonperishable donations earning one Father Deasy Dollar, good for one beverage at Oktoberfest. 

Free parking is available in the Amerex parking lot (7595 Gadsden Highway) with a free shuttle to Holy Infant of Prague (8090 Gadsden Highway). 

Up to 100 vendors are expected to attend the festival. For more information on Oktoberfest, visit oktoberfesttrussville.com.