The German American Club of the Treasure Coast announces Oktoberfest 2017. Friday October 6th, Saturday October 7th and Sunday October 8th!
Great food, great music, great beer and great fun! It will all be there for the community to enjoy at the 15th annual Oktoberfest, scheduled for Friday October 6th, Saturday October 7th and Sunday October 8th.
This year, Oktoberfest 2017 will again be outdoors under the big tent and the event will be held for three great days. This will be the eighth year for the event to be held in the Promenade at the Port St Lucie Civic Center. While the event was a huge success last year, this type of event should always be outside with the sounds and smells of a real German Oktoberfest. Crafts, food vendors, music, entertainment for the children and of course beer will be provided around the stage and interactive water fountain. The Port St. Lucie Civic Center, on the southeast corner of U.S. 1 and Walton Road is a 100,000-square-foot building that opened its doors to the public in December 2008, the Civic Center and Village Square have already proven to be popular locations for many special events that bring the community together, creating an atmosphere where residents can gather to celebrate, relax and have fun.
This will not be the first time Oktoberfest was held at the corner of U.S. 1 and Walton Road. The former Village Green Shopping Center was the locale for the very first Oktoberfest, the result of the vision of City Councilman Christopher Cooper.
The previous partnership formed between the city and the German American Club of the Treasure Coast allowed Port St. Lucie to tap into resources the club could provide, including the authenticity of the parade of flags and German dance. Joe Glass, then president of the club, cooked all the meals for that event. Councilman Christopher Cooper obtained the German band that first year, and Port St. Lucie’s Parks and Recreation Department, along with the CRA committee, provided the resources to make the event a huge success.
This year, Oktoberfest 2017 will again be outdoors under the big tent and the event will be held for three great days. This will be the eighth year for the event to be held in the Promenade at the Port St Lucie Civic Center. While the event was a huge success last year, this type of event should always be outside with the sounds and smells of a real German Oktoberfest. Crafts, food vendors, music, entertainment for the children and of course beer will be provided around the stage and interactive water fountain. The Port St. Lucie Civic Center, on the southeast corner of U.S. 1 and Walton Road is a 100,000-square-foot building that opened its doors to the public in December 2008, the Civic Center and Village Square have already proven to be popular locations for many special events that bring the community together, creating an atmosphere where residents can gather to celebrate, relax and have fun.
This will not be the first time Oktoberfest was held at the corner of U.S. 1 and Walton Road. The former Village Green Shopping Center was the locale for the very first Oktoberfest, the result of the vision of City Councilman Christopher Cooper.
The previous partnership formed between the city and the German American Club of the Treasure Coast allowed Port St. Lucie to tap into resources the club could provide, including the authenticity of the parade of flags and German dance. Joe Glass, then president of the club, cooked all the meals for that event. Councilman Christopher Cooper obtained the German band that first year, and Port St. Lucie’s Parks and Recreation Department, along with the CRA committee, provided the resources to make the event a huge success.
Unfortunately, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne were not kind to Port St. Lucie, and the 2004 Oktoberfest had to be cancelled in what would have been its second year. The following year, the city demolished the Village Green Shopping Center to make way for the new downtown and the Civic Center. As a result, Oktoberfest temporarily moved to Lyngate Park. Although the festival was well-attended and popular there, the facility and its limited parking prevented the event from growing larger.
With the move to the Civic Center, those problems are a thing of the past. The Village Square has the big tent, bandstand, dance floor, plenty of vendor space, German and American beers and foods, and at no charge a large parking garage that can house 802 vehicles.
The 15th annual Oktoberfest is expected to be bigger and better than ever. Members of the German American Club will be displaying the parade of flags, German dance and yes, the tapping of the first keg of beer.
We are excited that the 2017 Oktoberfest is continuing in its original home, and encourage your participation as a vendor or sponsor. We look forward to the community having a festive time at Oktoberfest 2017 and hope you will join us for a great Friday, Saturday and Sunday event.
