By SAMANTHA GHOLAR
sgholar@newssun.com
AVON PARK - 'Tis the season for fests, Oktoberfest to be exact, and for the fifth year the Avon Park Oktoberfest is ready to bring a different type of fun to the community.
The party takes place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday on Main Street. Oktoberfest brings together a number of different vendors and entertainment to the streets of Avon Park in a German-themed celebration.
This year's festival is different, however, lasting only one day as opposed to the two-day festivals in previous years.
Oktoberfest is sponsored by the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce and Community Redevelopment Agency. The all-day event will include several aspects, most returning from previous years. The Beer Garden, Car Show and Wiener Dog Races are the three most well-known parts of Oktoberfest and always draw in crowds of guests. The family-fun event also includes activities for kids, such as face painting, bounce houses and pony rides.
Numerous food and snack vendors will line the streets giving everyone the chance to satisfy their taste buds. Authentic German cuisine will be served throughout the day; guests can chow down on bratwurst, sauerkraut and the like.
Other contests include a Firemen's Challenge and Firemen's Olympics. A new addition to the festival is the Redneck Lederhosen Competition. The friendly competition starts at noon and challenges participants to make Lederhosen, leather shorts with H-shaped suspenders, out of any household objects they can find.
The annual Wiener Dog walk begins at 2 p.m. Dachshunds, and owners, will strut their stuff in front of spectators and three awards will be handed out to winners in three different categories (best dressed dog, best dressed team, best float). Entry fee for the walk is $2.
At 3 p.m., the wiener dog race will begin.
The race entry fee is $10 and prizes in four categories will be awarded (puppy, senior/disabled, adult and top dog).
Funds raised from the Wiener Dog competitions will go directly to Ridge Area Arc.
The races will take place on Museum Avenue.
For more information regarding Oktoberfest, contact the AP Chamber of Commerce at 453-3350.
Friday, October 12, 2012 - www.newssun.com/101212-sg-Oktoberfest