Oktoberfest Draws Families to Town Center

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Published on Sunday, 25 October 2009 13:53

 By AnnaMarie Sanderson

With strains of accordion music filling La Piazza, the Ave Maria town center took on a bit of a German flavor Saturday in the town's first Oktoberfest celebration. (Right, accordianist Larry Roberts)

Happy children also filled the town center for the family-oriented event, which featured pumpkin painting, cotton candy and a variety of games and activities. "I think it's really cute," remarked AMU student Alexendria Titone. "It's nice to see the town come together and all the kids."

Among those kids were Isabella and Juliette (left), both 10 years old, best friends who came from Naples for their first visit to Ave Maria. "I think its cool." said Juliette.  Isabella remarked, "I thought the Church looked like a bishop's hat."

The day began with a parade of decorated golf carts that wound their way from Del Webb to La Piazza led by an Immokalee fire truck. A panel of judges awarded prizes for the best cart to the "Zumba Gator" cart, sponsored by local businesses Fitness by Holly and Reliable Power Equipment. (Below left, Holly Imbus of Fitness by Holly and Don Imbus of Reliable Power Equipment in front of their cart. At right, the Imbuses, who live in Hampton Village, receiving the Best in Show trophy from AMU President Nick Healy). Carts winning in other categories were from The Secret Ingredient, Del Webb and the Donahue Academy.

 

 

Heather Heinzeroth, the community director at Del Webb who put together the golf cart parade, said she was pleased with the event's debut. "The judges are great and it's a great turnout," she said of the 10 carts that participated.

"I thought it was a very enjoyable outing for the community," said Ave Maria President Nick Healy "It's hard to imagine a place where you could have more children running around."

Adults also enjoyed the day. (Right, Jay Roth, Rene Oliver and Robert Oliver from Lutgert Insurance dressed for the occasion.) At The Bean and the Queen Mary Pub and Grille, the Haufbrau Haus beer was a big hit, according to proprietor Daniel Dix. "Our German lunch of brats, sauerkraut and potato pancakes sold out quickly, the homemade streudel sold out and our pretzels were gone in the first hour. Oktoberfest was a roaring success."

Below, the golf cart entry from The Secret Ingredient and the scene behind the oratory.

 

 

(all photos by AnnaMarie Sanderson)