Grab your beer steins and head on down to Oktoberfest

This year’s much anticipated Oktoberfest is scheduled for Sept. 27-29. The weekend-long festival is hosted by the Moriches Rotary.

The 15th annual Oktoberfest will take place at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck in Center Moriches on Sept. 27 from 6 until 11 p.m.; Sept. 28 from noon until 11 p.m.; and Sept. 29 from noon until 6 p.m. The family-friendly event costs $20 per person over the age of 21 and includes a free beer or soft drink. Anyone under 21 is free; and children are encouraged to attend. Retired and active military and seniors are $15 to enter.

According to Peter Traina, vice president of Moriches Rotary and chairperson of the event, Oktoberfest will feature local vendors, carnival rides and games, as well as a biergarten featuring German beers, German dancers and German bands. 

Moriches Rotary’s Oktoberfest is modeled off of the original Oktoberfest in Germany, which started in 1810 in celebration of the marriage of the Prince of Bavaria.

The rotary originally got the idea to host an Oktoberfest festival as a fundraising opportunity. Also, Traina said, he was motivated by his mother’s German heritage and his love of the festival.

“My mother is from a town called Wurzburg in the Bavarian region of Germany. So, we have been going to Oktoberfest for years,” he said, noting he has been to Germany since he was a kid. “This is our 16th year doing the Oktoberfest at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck.”

Although, he said, this is a rain-or-shine event, weather is always a factor. However, if it’s a good weekend, he said, the event usually raises about $60,000 after expenses.

Proceeds from Oktoberfest go to support Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, which has been owned and operated by the Moriches Rotary for over 80 years, with a mission to help special-needs children on Long Island.

For more information on Oktoberfest visit Morichesrotary.org, www.camppaquatuck.com or call (631) 878-1070. n