Press Contact: Robyn Bushong, 409.744.7848
                                                                                                            Email: RBush1147@aol.com
                                                                   Public Contact: First Lutheran Church, 409.762.8477,
                                                                                         On line: www.galvestonoktoberfest. com
                                                                               
GALVESTON’S PREMIER FALL FESTIVAL – 39^th ANNUAL ISLAND OKTOBERFEST- RETURNS OCTOBER 22-24!
 
 
GALVESTON ISLAND, TEXAS (5 July 2021.)   Galveston's premier fall festival - the 39th Annual Island Oktoberfest – returns to historic downtown Galveston, October 22-24. Having been canceled last year due to the COVID19 pandemic, this year’s festival is sure to be bigger and better than ever!  Island Oktoberfest will open with the tapping of the keg at 5pm on Friday afternoon and continue until 10pm. The hours on Saturday, October 23, are 11am-10pm, and this year’s festival will continue Sunday, October 24, with an outdoor church service at 10am - under the big white tent. German Polka music will be provided for the service by the famed TubaMeisters. Following a special fellowship hour, the 39^th Island Oktoberfest will conclude at noon. Everyone is welcome!
This fun, family weekend will feature continuous live entertainment on two stages- headlined by Galveston’s top two entertainment groups: Midlife Crisis on Friday evening and The Line-Up on Saturday evening!
In addition, festival-goers can look forward to an expanded menu of authentic German food and libations, Cake Wheel, shopping for fine arts, crafts and gifts in the historic 1860 Lyceum; more fun contests, beer and wine events, and fun, family children's activities – plus much more. Island Oktoberfest will be held on the grounds of and streets adjacent to First Lutheran Church, 24th and Winnie - in historic downtown Galveston. Admission is free.  German costumes encouraged. Again, this year… festival goers can look forward to more of everything … that is German!
Island Oktoberfest, hosted by First Evangelical Lutheran Church and co-sponsored by Del Papa Distributing Company, will open Friday evening with themed-Bier Garten venues - featuring a variety of both German and domestic brews and a variety of German-style wines. Again, this year, Oktoberfest will feature special beer and wine tasting events -paired with a delightful array of appetizers. In addition to great music and dancing, there will be superb food including smoked sausage, bratwurst, and "Wurstabendessen"- a sausage dinner comprised of German-style and Polish-style Wurst with all the traditional German side dishes. This special German Dinner will be available both Friday evening and on Saturday. For a sweet finale, homemade Helmut's strudel (freshly baked on site), will be offered in addition to a variety of tempting home-made desserts - specially prepared by congregation members from recipes handed down from generation to generation, and additional popular festival treats!
The historic and beautifully-renovated circa 1860 Lyceum will again be open Friday evening and from 10am on Saturday with vendors showcasing exceptional hand-crafted arts, crafts, and gift items for those festival goers eager to get a head start on holiday shopping. Because Island Oktoberfest continues to be one of the vendors' most enjoyable and popular venues, regular attendees can look forward to shopping at their long-time favorite booths - each featuring holiday and other special gift items.
Proceeds from Island Oktoberfest will benefit First Lutheran’s community outreach programs –including FeedGalveston and Fanfare! Lutheran Music Academy.  For more information, visit www.galvestonoktoberfest.com, call 409.762.8477, or follow the event on Facebook at Island Oktoberfest.                                                                
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PHOTO CUTLINES The 39th annual Island Oktoberfest - held in historic downtown Galveston - expands to 3 days - Friday, October 22 through Sunday morning, October 24. Hours are 5-10 pm, Friday, October 22; Saturday from 11am-10pm; and concludes Sunday morning with a special German Polka Church service and Fellowship beginning at 10am – held outside under the big tent. This fun, family festival will feature a variety of great, continuous live entertainment on two stages, authentic German food and libations, indoor holiday shopping in The Lyceum, expanded children's activities and so much more. The festival, sponsored by First Lutheran Church, will be held on the grounds of and streets adjacent to 24th and Winnie in downtown Galveston.  For more information, visit www.galvestonoktoberfest.com, or call 409.762.8477. Admission is free.  (All photos by Robyn Bushong.)