Miss Oktoberfest 2015: Could You Reign Supreme at the American German Club?

Ladies of the Palm Beaches: Do you like bratwurst, beer, and look good in a dirndl? If you do, you might want to consider becoming this year's official female spokesperson for American German Club in Lantana.

With the American German Club's annual Oktoberfest celebration a few months away, the search has officially begun for the 2015 Miss Oktoberfest, and all ladies age 21 and over who are interested in representing the club during Oktoberfest — and some of the club's scheduled events throughout the year — are encouraged to apply. 

The American German Club is the home to one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S., with thousands of guests visiting their 10-acre grounds during the second and third weekends in October. Some estimate it might well be the second largest Oktoberfest in the country outside Cincinnati, Ohio. The annual celebration features a traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest atmosphere, authentic German meals, beer and brat booths, a Biergarten, family-friendly entertainment for the kids with arts and crafts, carnival and games, vendor displays, souvenirs, and continuous live entertainment provided by two bands direct from Munich, Germany.

"And although Oktoberfest stands as a 40-year-old celebration here in South Florida, the crowning of a Miss Oktoberfest for the local event is new to the club," said Hutchinson, who helped to organize the first pageant in 2013. 

The American German Club already has several applicants, but is looking for more. To apply, review and download the application online from the American German Club website. The deadline for submission is July 31.

The third annual Miss Oktoberfest pageant and official coronation dinner will take place on Saturday, August 15 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the American German Club of the Palm Beaches. The event is in preparation for this year's 42nd annual Oktoberfest, set to run October 9, 10, 11 and 16, 17, 18.

"We're excited to carry on the tradition of the Miss Oktoberfest pageant again this year," said Hutchinson. "It's an event that has been so successful, and so well received by the younger people. It's alway fun to see the diversity of talent that shows up, and we definitely encourage more young ladies to come out and apply."

Each applicant must pay a $25 non-refundable fee to participate in the pageant, which includes admission for two additional guests to the pageant's coronation dinner, a ticketed dinner and dance event that is open to the public and includes live music by the authentic German band known as Alpine Express, and dance performances by the Auerhahn Schuhplattler and the Volkstanz Gruppe, as well as the club's annual stein-lifting competition, the Masskrugstemmen at 9 p.m. Tickets to the coronation dinner are open to the public for $25 per person, and are available for purchase online. 

For more information visit the American German Club website at americangermanclub.org, or call 561-632-2098.

Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.