Several locals get their German on for Oktoberfest

Organizers expected between 12,000 and 13,000 people to pass through the gates of Jackson’s Oktoberfest on Saturday, but only a select few were clad in traditional German regalia.

Plenty of people wore gray, felt Alpine hats being sold in the Uptown Jackson Revitalization booths alongside the beer steins and poker chips good for refills. A few people went the extra mile and wore a dirndl dress or lederhosen.

“We encourage it,” Uptown Jackson Revitalization vice president Darren Burgfeld said, but added a dirndl can be a $350 to $400 commitment.

Bill Sneathen and his family spent most of the afternoon at a table near the polka band. Sneathen and his son-in-law, Matt Sanders, both were wearing authentic lederhosen, while his wife Judy and her daughter Jill wore dirndls.

“For a giant leather outfit, it’s pretty comfortable,” Sanders said.

Pat Schwent and her German Bierfass Band perform Saturday at the Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest in Jackson.Fred Lynch

The Sneathens are nearly 100 percent German in their heritage. Judy said her family hails from Eppe, Germany, then founded Lixville, Missouri. Every member of the family bought their traditional clothes in Munich, Germany, during an Oktoberfest celebration.

“The way we stick out here, we stood out there for wearing American clothes,” Bill Sneathen said of the couple’s first Munich Oktoberfest.

Sanders said he wants to wear the lederhosen about five times a year, and the Jackson Oktoberfest is the perfect occasion.

“I’m tickled that Jackson does this,” Bill Sneathen said.

Lucas Beine of Jackson wore long-legged lederhosen, and onlookers praised Beine’s outfit for authenticity. Beine is a historical re-enactor, particularly American Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War, so authenticity is a point of emphasis.

“I just do it all the time,” Beine said of his authentic gear. “It’s Oktoberfest, I must do it.”

Beine said he has nearly 100 percent German heritage, and his family has relatives in Germany.

Chris and Missy Wunderlich, both of Jackson, said they have been dressing up for Oktoberfest in Jackson each year. This year, their son August, 5, and daughter Olivia, 3, also wore lederhosen and a dirndl respectively. Missy Wunderlich said her children are fond of dressing up for the celebration.

“I love how the whole town comes out,” Missy Wunderlich said of Oktoberfest.

Other people were more interested in coming in costume than celebrating German heritage. Freda Linter and Holly Dirnberger wore colorful dirndls and participated in the dog parade early in the afternoon.

“We love costumes and dressing up,” Linter said. “We work out a lot, and we need an excuse to show off.”

They both expressed their love of Oktoberfest. Linter said she has eight dirndl variations.

Cape Girardeau resident Rachel Miller said she was tricked into wearing a dirndl.

“My friend told me everybody would be dressed like this,” she said, shrugging. “I like to have fun.”

Jamie Vangennip of Jackson said she wore a red dirndl because people should dress up for everything. She also praised how Oktoberfest has grown over the past four years.

Burgfeld said Uptown Jackson Revitalization has worked out the kinks of the event over time, expanding the beer area after the first Oktoberfest, adding beer booths after the second and adding food vendors after each event.

The 2016 Oktoberfest featured about 30 vendors total, Uptown Jackson member Janet Sanders said. This year’s event featured about 90 volunteers between uptown Jackson and the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. Burgfeld was proud the event drew children, college-age adults and even senior citizens — indicating a diverse crowd.

The only problem is Burgfeld was preparing to run out of beer at the end of the night.

Mayor Dwain Hahs said Oktoberfest now rivals Jackson Homecomers in total interest.

“It brings recognition to our city as a great place to live, work and enjoy,” he said.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

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Main Street, Jackson, Mo.