Do you love German beer, food and culture? More importantly, do you look good in a dirndl? Well, if you do, consider becoming this year's official Miss Oktoberfest.
With the annual Oktoberfest celebration right around the corner, the American German Club of the Palm Beaches is currently looking for a new Miss Oktoberfest, and any local South Florida girl 21 years of age and older can participate. The successful candidate will be crowned during a special coronation dinner taking place Saturday, August 16, and will also be the club's official goodwill ambassador throughout the coming year.
The American German Club Palm of the Beaches is the home of 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.Though it's a 40-year-old celebration, the crowning of a Miss Oktoberfest for our local event was started only last year -- and they are still accepting candidates for Miss Oktoberfest 2014.
The Club's Oktoberfest 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.
The Second Annual Miss Oktoberfest competition will be held on Saturday, August 16 during a special gala dinner. The event is in preparation for this year's 41st Annual Oktoberfest, set to run October 10 to 12, and 17 to 19.
According to pageant coordinator Jennifer McDaniels-Hutchinson, the pageant is a special event designed to encourage community participation and foster the growth of family programs with the American German Club of the Palm Beaches.
The American German Club already has several applicants, and is looking for more. But the deadline to enter the competition is August 1, so if you think you have what it takes get your application in today or tomorrow.
"This pageant is our way of kicking-off all of the festivities coming up, and it's a great event.
We really want [the pageant contestants] to be a diverse group," McDaniels-Hutchinson told Clean Plate Charlie. "A lot of our members aren't German, so our applicant doesn't need to be German -- although that would be great. Really, this is all about sharing culture, something this entire organization was founded on."
Qualified applicants must be at least 21 years of age (there is no maximum age limit), and a German background is preferred, but not required. Participants in the competition are also eligible to receive special awards and even cash prizes for nabbing first, second or third-place.
The winner must also be available to participate in the Miss Oktoberfest Pageant orientation, as well as media interviews, promotions, and special events as requested by the German Club board of directors. Once crowned, Miss Oktoberfest will be responsible for the following participating in the 41st Annual Oktoberfest for two weekends.
To apply, review and download the application online from the American German Club website at www.americangermanclub.org. The deadline for submission of the application essay and photograph is Friday, August 1.
There is a $25 non-refundable fee required to participate in the pageant, which includes admission for two additional guests to the pageant's gala dinner, a ticketed dinner and dance event that is open to the public. Tickets to the gala dinner are $25 the day of the dinner, but advance tickets are also available for purchase now online for $20.
For more information visit the American German Club website at www.americangermanclub.org, or call 561-632-2098.
Follow Nicole Danna on Twitter, @SoFloNicole.
Follow @CleanPlateBPB
