{"id":434506,"date":"2026-10-22T06:40:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T06:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/434506\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T06:40:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T06:40:16","slug":"oktoberfest-returns-for-its-final-weekend-on-friday-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/434506\/","title":{"rendered":"Oktoberfest returns for its final weekend on Friday"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Savanah\u00a0Coffman, former Ms. Oktoberfest Kimberly Schlachta-Rabalais, Alyssa Coe and Eliana Soleto enjoy Oktoberfest ’26 at the German-American Social Club. CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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Tom and Elizabeth Grosskopf enjoy Oktoberfest at the German-American Social Club.<\/p>\n

CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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From left, Gloria Bleser, Holly Jo King, Shirley Tenholder, Michele Hartman and Shawn Festaban get into the spirit of Oktoberfest. <\/p>\n

CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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Oktoberfest is a yearly tradition for Ashley and Bruce Benifiel. CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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Marcy Hunt, Theresa Wells, Brenda Hepner and Cidalia Chiappetta at Oktoberfest. CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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Brenda Hepner at Octoberfest. CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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Oktoberfest at the German-American Social Club! Where else can you see a lederhosen-clad bull doing the chicken dance?<\/p>\n

VALARIE HARRING<\/p>\n

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A sign off the dance floor under the big tent at he German-American Social Club offers some cautionary advice to Oktoberfest attendees.<\/p>\n

VALARIE HARRING<\/p>\n

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Food \u2014 including traditional desserts like Black Forest cake and apple strudel \u2014 is a highpoint of Oktoberfest at the German-American Social Club.<\/p>\n

VALARIE HARRING<\/p>\n

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Die Aichers traveled from Lake of Constance, Germany, to perform at the German-America Social Club\u2019s Oktoberfest in Cape Coral. CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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Oktobertfest ’26 continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the German-American Social Club in Cape Coral. CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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The Boots band at Oktoberfest.<\/p>\n

BY CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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The Boots band at Oktoberfest.<\/p>\n

BY CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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Tom and Elizabeth Grosskopf enjoy Oktoberfest at the German-American Social Club.<\/p>\n

CASEY BRADLEY GENT<\/p>\n

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Southwest Florida\u2019s largest Oktoberfest returns for its final weekend Friday as the two-weekend celebration at the German-American Social Club continues. <\/p>\n

Hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Friday; noon to midnight on Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.<\/p>\n

If opening weekend was an indication, it\u2019s going to be another banner attendance year for the event that encourages attendees to \u201cGrab your dirndl, dust off your lederhosen, and join us for two weekends of polka, chicken dance, and everything German.\u201d<\/p>\n

The heritage celebration that features live music, authentic German favorites \u2014\u00a0everything from schnitzel, potato pancakes, bratwurst and, of course, beer \u2014 has also become a Southwest Florida tradition.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been coming to this event for years,\u201d said attendee Nancy Wilk. \u201cIt is the very best Oktoberfest in Florida, and that\u2019s saying a lot. We have even been to Oktoberfest in Germany, and still look forward to this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

She and her husband carried personalized Pilstulpes, which were filled \u2013 upon the couple\u2019s arrival \u2013 with traditional German pilsner. <\/p>\n

Tom and Elizabeth Grosskopf said they started attending the Cape Coral Oktoberfest in 2018. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still trying to figure out which of the three nights is the best night to come,\u201d Elizabeth said Friday, adding, \u201cTonight is the first night and it seems really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cape Coral resident Trish Lassiter said she enjoys coming to Oktoberfest for the beer and potato pancakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe potato pancakes here are the absolute best,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Draft beer stands were at the ready throughout the grounds that offered three music stages, three dance floors and continuous foot-tapping performances from both popular local bands and those from afar \u2014 The Maselheimer Musikanten and Die Aichers traveled to Cape Coral from Lake of Constance, Germany specifically for the event. <\/p>\n

The fest also includes a carnival area with rides and games for children, lots of vendor booths, sit-down dining in the Von Steuben Hall and ample opportunity to grab a photo with Ms. Oktoberfest 2026, Christine Blasses, who was everywhere and all smiles the first weekend.<\/p>\n

Throughout opening weekend, families of all ages strolled by craft and vendor booths, while older members of the community gathered within sight of Die Aichers under the big tent. Couples danced as tunes from the accordion bounced from table to tent-top. <\/p>\n

Venue-wide, the spirit was merry.<\/p>\n

No Oktoberfest could be complete without music under the big tent and throughout the grounds. The club\u2019s German bands straight from Bavaria will again perform, while attendees have another opportunity to dance away to local bands in the Biergarten.<\/p>\n

General admission tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the gate, with free admission for children ages 12 and under. On-site parking is free.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There also is a VIP option.<\/p>\n

GACS\u2019s VIP program features exclusive seating, drink specials, a sit-down meal in the Von Steuben Hall, a beer stein with refills, and much more.<\/p>\n

The GASC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting German culture, heritage, and community fellowship in Southwest Florida through social events, volunteer efforts, and cultural traditions.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit\u00a0gasc-capecoral.com.<\/p>\n

The German-American Social Club of Cape Coral is at 2101 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral.<\/p>\n


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