SPONSORED BY: THE SEYMOUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The Oktoberfest Bier Garten is sponsored this year by the Knights of Columbus. The Bier Garten is located in the National City Bank parking lot near the corner of 2nd and Walnut Streets in downtown Seymour.   A special thanks to National City 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: CINERGY METRONET

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.

Outstanding Bands playing at the 2007 Oktoberfest include Common Ground, Barnstormin' Bluegrass, Glory Bound; The Deatons; Deer Creek, Moonlight Bluegrass, 2nd Shift, and Leatherwood Valley.  

SPONSORED BY: THE SEYMOUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The German Band, also known as the Schulhaus 4+3, was origanized by a group of musicians who were also school teachers, and enjoyed playing the traditional German music and polkas together. They are popular with all ages, and encourage street dancing in front of the stage. Along with the polkas, they also play the bunny hop and the chicken dance and enjoy audience participation.

OKTOBERFEST POLKA, CHICKEN DANCE CONTEST

For a list of the Polka and Chicken Dance Winners, click here.

SPONSORED BY: LARRY E. NUNN & ASSOCIATES, CPA

Each year Larry E. Nunn & Associates, CPA, sponsors a baking contest. Baked pies and cakes 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. 

• 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
• Cakes and pies will be judged by a panel of judges, and after judging, all pies and cakes are donated to a local Soup Kitchen.
• For a list of the baking contest winners, click here...

SPONSORED BY: SEYMOUR OKTOBERFEST, INC., MAYOR JAMES E. BULLARD, PROGRESSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY PC, & PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA

The annual 5K walk/run/wheelchair race will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Oct. 7.   (Open at 7:00 a.m. to accept entries).  Local people, as well as many of our visitors, take part in this annual race. Individuals as well as whole families can participate and take home a 5K Race shirt, as well as have an opportunity to win one of many awards.

• Early registration is $15 per person, but after Friday, Sept. 28th, cost is $20 per person (see registration form for special family rates).
• Awards are given to the winners in several age categories for both men and women, in both walking and running.
• Trophies will be presented to: Overall Winner- men (in all 3 events), Overall Winner –women (in all 3 events), and First Place of each  of 13 age divisions in each category.
• Water is provided along the route, which is fairly level and runs through the residential area near the high school. 
• For a complete listing of 5K Run/Walk winners, results, and times, click here.

SPONSORED BY: THE TRIBUNE

Each year a huge parade is held 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. For the fourth straight year, the parade trophies and ribbons are sponsored by The Tribune, Jackson County's only daily newspaper.

Over 200 entries, including 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 complete listing of parade award winners, 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.

Be sure to check out the downtown stores while you are in Seymour visiting the Oktoberfest!

DP AMUSEMENTS FROM NEWBURGH, INDIANA

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.

SPONSORED BY: TEXAS EASTERN PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY (TEPPCO)

The Oktoberfest Talent contest 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 7:00 p.m. Young people and adults are encouraged to enter. Sorry, due to time constraints and lengthy set-up time, we cannot accept bands. 

• The first 25 entries are accepted. A $5 entry fee is required. Each act has three minutes to perform, and will be judged by a panel of independent judges.
• Click here for a list of the talent show winners...

SPONSORED BY: JACKSON PARK PHYSICIANS RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM

A chance to show off your own delightful little one! The Baby contest will be held on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. on the North Stage.  . A registration fee of $5.00 is charged. All proceeds from the contest will go to fight cancer.   You may mail in the entries  ahead of time or sign up near the Info Booth on Thursday evening 6-8 p.m. or on Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. or from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  YOU MUST REGISTER BY FRIDAY EVENING.

• There are 4 age groups, 0-6 months, 7-12 months, 12-24 months, and 24-36 months.
• There is a special category for twins, age 0-36 months.
• First place winners will receive trophies, and 2nd and 3rd place winners receive ribbons in each category.
• Click here for a list of baby contest winners..

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

The 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. 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.

Click here for the listing of hot air balloon race winners!

SPONSORED BY: CHILD CARE NETWORK, AND AISIN, USA, INC.

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. This will be the 34th year for a Prince and Princess to be crowned.

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.

Our Oktoberfest Princess this year is Kaelen Eglen, daughter of Staci Eglen & Jonathan Eglen

Our Oktoberfest Prince is Derek Harrell, son of Tom & Krystal Harrell and Laura & Aaron Tucker

Held on the Oktoberfest North Stage located at 3rd and Chestnut Streets at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6th, the second annual brat eating contest promises to be a favorite among contestants and spectators.

First place winner who eats the most naked brats in 10 minutes receives $250 Cash for the contestant and a $250 donation to your favorite 501(c)3 Charity, as well as a Trophy.  Second place wins a trophy and $100, 3rd place a trophy and $50.    Enter by Thursday noon, Oct. 4th by e-mailing info@seymouroktoberfest.com with your name, address, phone number, and the name of the charity you wish to sponsor.   Twenty people will be chosen by drawing to compete, and you will be notified if you are one of those selected.

 Click here for information on the winners of the brat-eating contest..