The promise of local brews, handmade products and German-style fun enticed hundreds to come to Eureka on Oct. 11 for Old Town Oktoberfest.
Central Avenue was transformed into a block party for the event, complete with food and alcohol vendors, music and children’s activities.
Karen Bopp, owner of Red Door Liquor & Cigars, organized the event for the third year. Bopp was not immediately available for comment on how many people attended the event.
A portion of event proceeds benefited the local nonprofit Not In Our Back Yard (NIOBY).
Karen O’Fallon, NIOBY president, said the nonprofit’s main goal is to raise money for anyone within the 63025 zip code who is in need. In addition to a 50/50 raffle, the NIOBY booth held a silent auction for a basket of goodies worth $1,500. O’Fallon said the basket included gift cards to local eateries and shops along with mugs, candles and tickets to “Derby Day.”
NIOBY’s Derby Day will be held May 1 at Brookdale Farms, where attendees 21 years and older can enjoy a bourbon tasting while watching the Kentucky Derby. O’Fallon said early bird tickets are available through the end of the year at the nonprofit’s website, eurekanotinourbackyard.org/events.
O’Fallon said she was excited that NIOBY was the charitable partner for Old Town Oktoberfest.
“It’s going great,” she said during the event.
“We’ve gotten a lot of good, positive feedback from people who really didn’t know who we were. We’re happy that people are coming by.”
More than 60 vendors lined the street, selling jewelry, customized clothing, candles, coffee and more.
New this year, Red Door served beer from a 20-foot trailer outside of the store.
Several people performed throughout the day, including the Count of Monte Carlo band and Anthony Talarico, who played the accordion.
Dancers from the German Cultural Society of St. Louis performed traditional German dances and American-style remixes like the chicken dance throughout the afternoon, often inviting attendees to join the fun.
John and Jen DuBois of Eureka came to the event in full German traditional wear. John brought along a basket of large homemade Bavarian pretzels to share with friends.
“I just enjoy true Bavarian pretzels, the real ones dipped in lye,” he said. “They’re hard to find around here.”
Jen said they’ve been to Oktoberfest in Germany a couple of times, saying they “love everything about” the annual festival.
John added that the Old Town Oktoberfest is a little different from the one held in Germany.
“On one side of it, it’s all beer and food tents. The other half is a carnival with rides and games, so it’s like Eureka Days combined with (Old Town) Oktoberfest,” he said.
