There is no better way to spend a beautiful October day than at the Annual Oktoberfest Celebration in Historic Germantown. This colorful, autumn festival slated for October 13th, will again entertain, regale, and delight thousands from Middle Tennessee with its unique brand of traditional German revelry.

The day will begin with the Paulaner Bier 5 K Oktoberfest Run/Walk at 8:00 a.m. At 9:30 a.m. the two historic sponsoring churches will conduct community wide worship services. The rest of the day is full of fun, food, fellowship, and entertainment. Featured entertainment this year is the Capital Swing Big Band entertaining from 3:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.

For more than a quarter century, this original, city wide celebration has been offering authentic German food, crafts, tours, dance, and entertainment. Established in 1980, this festival is one of the few nationwide that can claim an authentic German neighborhood as a venue. Oktoberfest showcases the best of this Germantown neighborhood - it’s past history, present revitalization, and expanding future growth and diversity.

“We have two exceptional congregations and wonderful neighbors working together in a harmonious spirit to produce a marvelous festival. Today, Germantown is a live, vibrant and growing community, and that’s what makes it and Oktoberfest special,” Bill Mullins, recent president of the Historic Germantown Neighborhood Association, said.

“Oktoberfest is an exciting and historic time for us,” said Father Bernard Niedergeses, pastor of Assumption Catholic Church. “It’s exciting because so many diverse people can spend the day enjoying delicious food, fun and friendship. And it’s historic because this celebration allows our former parishioners, neighbors, and young friends a wonderful opportunity to visit the site of their roots, heritage and traditions.”

Rev. Rosemary Brown, minister of the Monroe Street United Methodist Church said, “I’m thrilled that Oktoberfest offers something for everyone, especially the children. With the kids’ Funland area - along with music, crafts, food, dancing, the 5K Run/Walk, and tours of historic homes and churches - Oktoberfest is truly a family oriented, family friendly, family fun festival. Plus the Funland area is FREE for all of our little friends!”

“And I want to encourage everyone to come at 9:00 a.m. for our joint prayer service and opening ceremony. Then at 9:30 a.m. you’re invited to worship at the Monroe Street United Methodist Church or Assumption Catholic Church, whichever you desire. These services are so meaningful with wonderful music, much of it in German. The worship services set such a positive tone for the entire day.”

For 27 eventful years, historic Assumption Catholic Church and Monroe Street United Methodist Church conceived, nurtured, expanded and operated Nashville’s largest and oldest cultural festival. In 2001, the two churches invited Historic Germantown Nashville, Inc, the neighborhood association, to join in sponsoring this event. Teaming with the neighborhood association allowed the churches to expand this popular festival, while adding additional energy, manpower and new ideas to Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is a nonprofit organization. Proceeds go to the continuing historic restoration of Assumption Catholic Church and Monroe Street United Methodist Church and neighborhood improvement projects.