SPONSORED BY: THE SEYMOUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The Oktoberfest Bier Garten is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of Seymour.  The Bier Garten is located in the PNC Bank parking lot near the corner of 2nd and Walnut Streets in downtown Seymour.   A special thanks to PNC Bank for allowing the use of their parking lot for this special feature of the Oktoberfest.

A gathering spot for friends to hold reunions and socialize, the Bier Garten is a popular place to meet friends. The German Band plays nearby, adding to the festive atmosphere.

SPONSORED BY: SEYMOUR OKTOBERFEST, INC.

Featured bands will be playing on the south stage each evening from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on the south stage (In front of Union Hardware) on south Chestnut Street. Come and join the fans as they listen to some of their favorite bluegrass music. Bleachers will be available, but bring your lawn chairs if you prefer, and make yourselves comfortable as you enjoy three evenings of some of the best Bluegrass music in the area.   All entertainment at the Oktoberfest is free.

Hundreds enjoyed the bands listed below at the 2011 Oktoberfest.  Our thanks to Don Tatlock who is our official organizer of the Bluegrass talent.    Watch this space to see who will perform at the 2012 Oktoberfest.

Thursday - Hoosier Hills; Common Ground

Friday - Jake Brown and Blue Line; Grandview Junction; James White and Deercreek

Sat. - Destiny; Leatherwood Valley; Lonesome Highway

SPONSORED BY: THE SEYMOUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The German Band, also known as the Schulhaus 4+3, includes a group of musicians who were also school teachers, and enjoyed playing and singing the traditional German music and polkas together.  They are popular with all ages, and encourage street dancing in front of the west stage, located near  the corner of 2nd Street and Walnut Street.   Along with the polkas, they also play the bunny hop and the chicken dance and enjoy audience participation.

THE 2011 OKTOBERFEST POLKA, CHICKEN DANCE CONTEST was held on Saturday evening, Oct. 1st at 8:30 p.m. at the West Stage.    Thanks for the help of the Zweite Strasse (Second Street) Dancers!   .

For a listing of the 2011 Oktoberfest Polka and Chicken Dance Winners, click here.

SPONSORED BY: LARRY E. NUNN & ASSOCIATES, CPA

NOTICE - NEW LOCATION  -   THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BLDG - 107 COMMUNITY DRIVE - NO NEED TO TRY TO PARK DOWNTOWN. 

Each year Larry E. Nunn & Associates, CPA, sponsors a baking contest. Home-Baked pies and cakes (made from scratch) are brought in for judging on Thursday morning, and prizes are awarded at the North Stage at the 5:30 p.m. official opening ceremony of the Oktoberfest. Contestants must be 18 years of age and reside in Jackson County, Indiana.  You can register ahead of time with the entry form on the link below, or you can read the info on how to enter on Thursday morning when you bring in your pie or cake (must be submitted by noon on Thursday).  Questions?  Call Lora Kirts @812-523-6726.

• First, second & third prizes are awarded in each category -
  1st - $100, 2nd - $50, and 3rd $25 
• Contestants may enter only one product in each category.
• Winners will be announced at the 5:00 opening ceremonies on Thursday at the North Stage (prizes not claimed at this time must be picked up at the Larry E. Nunn Office, 410 W. 2nd Street, in Seymour)
• Cakes and pies will be judged by a panel of judges, and after judging, all pies and cakes are donated to a local homeless shelter.
•  For a listing of the 2011 Baking Contest Winners, click here.

ORGANIZED BY: THE SEYMOUR WRESTLING ASSOCIATION

AND SPONSORED BY:  SEYMOUR OKTOBERFEST, INC., MAYOR CRAIG LUEDEMAN AND THE CITY OF SEYMOUR,  ROAD ID,  DICKSONS, AND PEPSI COLA OF SEYMOUR,  

The annual 5K walk/run was held on Saturday, October 1st , 2011, at  8:00 a.m. at the Seymour High School Commons area.  

• Awards are given to the winners in 13 different age categories for both men and women, in both walking and running.
• Trophies presented to: Overall Winner- men (in all 3 events), Overall Winner –women (in all 3 events), and Medals awarded to First and Second Place of each  of 13 age divisions in each category.
• TO DOWNLOAD A MAP OF THE 5K COURSE, CLICK HERE

          For a listing of 2011 Oktfest 2011 Run/Walk Overall Winners & all times, click here.

          For a listing of 2011 Oktfest Run/Walk Age Group winners & all times, click here.

The Oktoberfest parade is held each year on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. The parade begins at the high school on Community Drive, and proceeds east on 2nd Street to the downtown Oktoberfest area, turning north on Walnut Street and winding back to Community Drive.

This exciting parade includes clowns, bands, dancers, floats, antique vehicles, patriotic units, kings and queens, cheerleaders, and more make this parade one of the largest in southern Indiana. Trophies are awarded for first and second place in thirteen different categories. A special trophy is awarded to the unit selected by the Oktoberfest Board as best displaying the Oktoberfest theme.   

For a listing of 2011 parade trophy winners, please click here.

SPONSORED BY: THE SEYMOUR OKTOBERFEST

Each year the Oktoberfest sponsors a window decorating contest for merchants in the downtown area. Monetary prizes are awarded for the best display of an Oktoberfest/German theme.

This year's window decorating awards were:  1st Place - Union Hardware, 116 S. Chestnut Street.    2nd Place - Global Travel, 117 W. 2nd Street, and 3rd Place - Artistic Impressions, 127 W. 2nd Street.

Be sure to stop by these stores to see their decorations!

 BRADY'S AMUSEMENTS

Each year the Oktoberfest sponsors a carnival in downtown Seymour, located at the Ashcraft Parking lot in the 100 block of 2nd Street. Children of all ages enjoy the carnival area, with the games, giant slide, kiddie rides, and the bigger thrill rides for those who enjoy more excitement.

$13 coupons for all-you-can ride bracelets will be sold prior to the festival at City Hall, 309 N. Chestnut Street.  Check during the month of September 2012, for more information about these bracelets.

The Oktoberfest Talent contest, featuring Curt Nichols as MC, is a popular event. Open only to non-professionals (persons who do not earn money for their talents), it is held on Saturday night of the Oktoberfest at 7:30 p.m. Young people and adults are encouraged to enter.   There are four categories, from ages 1 through adult. 

For a listing of 2011 Talent Show winners, click here.

SPONSORED BY: GOOD FRIENDS RELAY FOR LIFE

A chance to show off your own delightful little one! The Baby contest is held on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. on the North Stage.  There is a $5.00 charge to enter, and all proceeds go to the Relay for Life to fight cancer.

• There are 4 age groups, 0-6 months, 7-12 months, 12-24 months, and 25 months-3 years
• There is a special category for twins, age 0-3 years
• First place winners will receive trophies, and 2nd and 3rd place winners receive ribbons in each category.   
• For a list of 2011 Oktoberfest Baby Contest Winners, click here.

SPONSORED BY RE/MAX PROFESSIONALS OF SEYMOUR AND THE SEYMOUR OKTOBERFEST

CANCELLATION:  UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO HIGH WIND GUSTS, THE BALLOON GLOW ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND THE BALLOON RACE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON HAD TO BE CANCELLED.  WE ARE VERY SORRY, BUT THE SAFETY OF OUR PILOTS AND SPECTATORS IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE, AND THE HIGH WINDS WERE GUSTING AT A DANGEROUS LEVEL.   WE PLAN TO TRY AGAIN IN 2012, AT OUR 40TH OKTOBERFEST, OCT. 4,5, & 6 2012.

The 15th annual HOT AIR BALLOON RACE, called a 'Hare and Hounds' race, sponsored by RE/MAX Professionals and the Seymour Oktoberfest, is always an exciting and well-attended event and will be held this year on Saturday afternoon, October 1, 2011 in the field behind the high school, 2nd Street and Community Drive.  Watchers are invited to come early (around 4:15 p.m.) to go out on the field to see the huge, beautiful balloons fill with hot air and get ready for takeoff. What a beautiful sight, and a real photo opportunity! At the signal, the 'Hare' Re/Max balloon ascends into the sky, and the other brightly colored balloons from several different states quickly follow. RE/MAX provides $2000 in prize money to be awarded each year to the winner or winners, based on their ability to drop their marker the closest to the place that is selected by the 'Hare' balloon.  A special treat is the BALLOON GLOW on Friday evening from 7:30 - 8:30 in front of Seymour High School on Community Drive. 

Want to enter your balloon?  Call RE/MAX at 812-522-8448.

SPONSORED BY: CHILD CARE NETWORK, AISIN, USA, INC. CINERGY METRONET, AND THE SEYMOUR OKTOBERFEST

Parents of children under ten years of age should not miss the opportunity to stop by 'One Kids Square', on the corner of St. Louis Avenue and S. Chestnut Street, to enjoy crafts, sing-a-longs, storytelling, coloring, and character appearances which are featured in this area. This area was set up especially for the young ones, who enjoy their own kind of entertainment at the festival.

Kids - Are you tired of the rides? Had your fill of good food and ready for a break? Stop by and relax and enjoy the special area, just for you.

Adjacent to the downtown Oktoberfest, at the corner of 3rd and Ewing Streets in the downtown area, you will find a flea market. With many interesting items for sale, both new and antique, this area is for you if you are looking for a bargain or for a special item.

Its's easy to locate the flea market once you get to the Oktoberfest - just look for the big church parking lot with all the interesting booths!

SPONSORED BY: BETA KAPPA CHAPTER OF EPSILON SIGMA ALPHA SORORITY

Each year, the Oktoberfest crowns a Prince and Princess of the Oktoberfest. Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority sponsors the contest. iN 2012, this will be the 40th year for a Prince and Princess to be crowned.   DEADLINE TO ENTER THE CONTEST IS SEPTEMBER 15TH!

All boys and girls who are residents of Jackson County and are between the ages of 6 and 10 before the Oktoberfest begins are eligible to enter. The winning Prince and Princess are determined by who raises the most money. All contestants who turn in money will receive a prize.

Funds raised by this project will benefit various philanthropic projects, including healthcare scholarships, local charities, Camp Riley for handicapped children, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The 2011 Prince and Princess were:

Princess - Brooklyn Paige Covey, daughter of Paul and Toski Covey

Prince - Korey Estes, son of Roger and Stacy Estes

The 2011 Brat-eating Contest was held on the Oktoberfest North Stage located at 3rd and Chestnut Streets at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1st ,

The6th annual brat eating contest was a favorite among contestants and spectators.    The bleachers were overflowing with people cheering on their favorite contestant!  Matt Adams, who won the brat-eating contest for the last 5 years, retired in 2012..

First place winner - Tim Rueter of Seymour, who ate the most naked brats in 10 minutes received $250 Cash  and a $250 donation to his favorite 501(c)3 Charity in Jackson County, as well as a Trophy.  Second place, Clayton Skylar Banister of Seymoure, won a trophy and $100, 3rd place, Mason Cochran of Indianapolis, won a trophy and $50.