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Having a stein time
By JULIE CHURCH, Times Staff Writer DUNEDIN -- In the north, the arrival of fall is heralded by the changing leaves and cooler temperatures. But in Dunedin, many residents count on the smell of bratwurst and the sound of the Bavarian oompah bands to signal the change of seasons at the city's annual Oktoberfest. The festival, which is one of the area's larger Oktoberfest events, was held in summer-like conditions Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Grant Field. It returned after being canceled last year because of construction at the field, which is home to the Dunedin Blue Jays baseball team. Many people who attended on Friday night were glad to see its return. "I've been coming here since it started," said Pat Smith of Clearwater. "Year after year, I see the same people here. It's a tradition." The Oktoberfest tradition started with a wedding bash in Munich, Germany, in 1810. The events feature German food, polkas and lots of beer. Dunedin's event also featured some modern touches, such as trampoline bungee jumping, a rock climbing wall and a carnival midway. "This is one of the best ones," said Ernie Stetz, accordion player and singer for the Bee Sharps band, which has played at the event for several years. "The food is good and there are a lot of people of German, Polish and Slovic descent in the mid-county area who attend." Children and adults stood in line to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl and play games along the carnival midway, including one game where live bunnies were offered as prizes for successfully tossing a table tennis ball into a glass dish floating in a wading pool. "We've spent more on the game than it would cost to buy the darn bunny," one mother was overheard saying to her son. Laurel Bauer, 76, of Dunedin attended the event Friday in traditional Bavarian lederhosen. He has been part of the Dunedin Oktoberfest since it started, lending an authentic touch to the festivities. "It's good PR for the city," he said. "People come from all over to this and they see what Dunedin has to offer." For the first time this year, Dunedin's Oktoberfest was coordinated by a private company rather than by the city. "We weren't quite sure what to expect," said Melva Williams, who with her husband, Russ, owns Williams Entertainment, a Safety Harbor company that also coordinates Toronto Blue Jays spring training events. "But we're pleased. Everyone seems to be having a good time."
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From the Times North Pinellas desks Letters |
