Über-Oktoberfest

For 40 years, Richard Blechschmidt, Gerold Harbeke, and Karl-Heinz Randtke have been getting down with Oktoberfest in Palm Beach County. Skip the other festivals around town this weekend and try something a little authentic, like the American German Club of the Palm Beach's 40th Oktoberfest bash on Friday through Sunday and again October 18 through 20. Pay $8 (free for kids under 12) and you basically get a ticket to Germany in early October, except you're in South Florida and there might be a python or two lurking in the weeds. If you miss the first weekend, you can make up for your impropriety on the next weekend, swigging down liters of Hofbräu. You will also get a chance to challenge the winner of the annual Masskrugstemmen beer chug contest. But in reality, there is fun for the whole family with carnival rides for kids, live music from German bands, folk-dancing performances, sing-alongs, lots of authentic German food (kraut, wurst, potato salad, etc.) and vendor booths selling sundry arts and crafts. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Fridays and go to 11; Saturdays run from noon to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. The American German Club of the Palm Beaches is located at 5111 Lantana Road in Lake Worth, where the Oktoberfest will be held. Call 561-967-6464. Admission is $8. Get out and do something distinctly German with your family, or by yourself, this weekend.
Fridays, 5-11 p.m.; Saturdays, 12-11 p.m.; Sundays, 12-8 p.m. Starts: Oct. 11. Continues through Oct. 20, 2013