Oktoberfest rolls along in Evans City
EVANS CITY — Thousands of people from around the area visited the borough this weekend for food, crafts, entertainment and a little bit of German culture.
The 29th annual Evans City Oktoberfest had a good turnout this year, festival chair Marla Bird said.
The event borrows its name from a Bavarian tradition that dates back to 1810 when 40,000 people held a festival to celebrate a royal marriage, according to the festival brochure.
Because October sometimes has cold weather, the festival was changed to mid-September, but the name stuck.
“It brings people to town and it promotes our German heritage,” Bird said.
“It's a way to showcase the town and how the people get along together here.”
Saturday was the three-day festival's biggest day, and it included a breakfast to support the fire department Saturday morning, a parade and a fireworks display.
One tradition in Evans City is a couple of dishes that the Rotary Club serves up every year.
Haluski, consisting of noodles, butter and cabbage, and stuffed cabbage rolls are always popular, Rotarian Fred Gross said.
“They get upset if we run out. A lot of people around Evans City are German,” Gross said.
Kristina Franksain of Evans City sat along Main Street on Saturday to watch the annual parade, which featured the Evans City Middle School Band, Seneca Valley cheerleaders, unicyclists and the Syria Motor Corps.
Franksain said her family comes to the festival every year and enjoys the food.
Michelle Kollek of Harmony said she brought her five daughters to Oktoberfest to enjoy that food and other attractions.
“It's a tradition, a yearly thing,” she said.
Donna Roland of Mars said the event is fun for all ages, while her granddaughter Alyssa took a ride on the swings on Jackson Street.
“We walk around to see what the vendors have, the parade, the rides, everything. It's a fun day for the family,” Roland said.
Cyndie Gibson of Prospect said she was at Oktoberfest for the first time on Saturday.
“I like the craft vendors and the unique artwork,” she said.
Bill Swierkowski of Evans City said he has lived in the borough for about 25 years, and Oktoberfest has been a constant during that time.
“It brings the community together a little bit,” he said.
