The Great Place Oktoberfest celebrates fun, tradition

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - Excitement bubbled over and good times flowed as Soldiers, family members, civilians and veterans turned out for this year's Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 21 at The Great Place.

Patterned after the world's largest Volksfest, a German event that usually combines beer, food and rides and draws millions of enthusiasts, Oktoberfest pays homage to German culture and its long-standing traditions.

The event brings a taste of German tradition and culture to The Great Place, "without the need for a passport," said Norma Hernandez, communities activities coordinator with the Fort Cavazos Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

"People like to see a fall event like Oktoberfest," she added. "It brings the families together, and I love seeing when this place is packed with people. We've created somewhere people can come and enjoy themselves. It's just the place to be."

While the festivities at the Phantom Warrior Center were on a slightly smaller scale than the traditional Volksfest, hosting about upwards of 2,500 attendees, the activities were equally as spirited.

The 1st Cavalry Division Band kept the mood jovial with festive music as guests enjoyed activities, including free train rides on the BLORA, or Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area, Express, a bungee station, inflatable axe throwing and basketball, rock climbing and arts and crafts.

Sponsors such as H-E-B, USAA, Smile Doctors, Allied Marketing Group, Primerica and Fort Cavazos Recycle collaborated to make the event a success.

A patch stocked with pint-sized pumpkins donated by H-E-B was a popular attraction for visitors.

Spc. Abdriel Reyes, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and his family watched as patrons snapped selfies and rooted through the tiny pumpkins.

"I feel like I can enjoy myself and not always think about work," he said of the event.

In addition to family activities, there were also opportunities for guests to test their strength and stamina in events, like keg squatting, where an individual has a minute to complete as many squats as possible holding a 30-pound metal keg.

As the event swelled with visitors, Brig. Gen. Geoff R. Van Epps, III Armored Corps deputy commanding general of maneuver, and Dr. Peter Craig, director of DFMWR, prepared to perform the tapping of the ceremonial keg.

The tradition of tapping the first keg at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, began over 70 years ago when then Mayor Thomas Wimmer tapped the keg and called out "O'zapft is," Bavarian for, "It is tapped."

After a couple of practice blows, the keg gushed with a stream of beer as cheers erupted
from onlookers.

"This is an opportunity for Soldiers and family members to come out and enjoy a tradition that's rich with history as our Army has close ties after having had a presence in Germany since the second World War," Van Epps explained. "It's a tradition that we brought back here to Central Texas, and we celebrate every year.

"Soldiers and their families can let their hair down, enjoy a fun tradition and blow off some steam in a way that is safe and helps build the community," he added.

Spc. Shyanne Ramos, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Field Hospital, 9th Hospital Center, 1st Medical Brigade, and her husband Sgt. Kevin Ramos, 151st Medical Augmentation Detachment, 11th Field Hospital, 1st Med. Bde., conveyed she and her husband intended to do just that with their children Adonis, 4, and Harmony, 2.

"It makes me feel good that the base actually cares about their Soldiers," she said of the event. "Sometimes you see bad press and bad news about Fort Cavazos, but they don't see also the goodness that Fort Cavazos does for families and Soldiers as well."

Events such as the Oktoberfest celebration happen routinely at Fort Cavazos.

For more information about Fort Cavazos MWR events, visit cavazos.armymwr.com.

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