By Mike Fletcher
Despite a constant drizzle, a crowd mingled around downtown Friday afternoon, eating brats and enjoying a little entertainment during the lunch hour as the annual Oktoberfest got under way.
“This is the second time we’ve done this,” John Wiles, executive director of the Kokomo Downtown Association, said of the early start.
“Hopefully, the rain will stay away.”
In past years, the German celebration ran from 4 to 10 p.m. The last two years, Wiles said, they decided to have an early lunch-type celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those who may not be able to attend the evening activities.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” he said of the crowd.
Sponsored by the Center Township trustee, the festival offers one last downtown festival to enjoy before winter sets in, Wiles said.
Most were sitting under tents enjoying brats and other German food while some mingled about listening to music.
“I’m real happy with it,” Wiles said.
“We have Gary Rhum who volunteered to play for us to give the people some entertainment during lunch.”
Along with brats, volunteers dished up hot dogs, sauerkraut, German potato salad and chips.
“We love it,” said Gene Colburn, one of the volunteer cooks.
“My wife, Ramona, works for the Center Township trustee, so I got to cook,” he said. “Everybody’s really enjoying it.”
Jim Schlatter, a Delphi worker, took time from his busy day to enjoy a brat.
“I’m just coming out for some lunch,” he said in line at the Center Township tent. “This is really nice. I live near Rossville. I came out on my lunch break, otherwise it would be a long trip to come back tonight.”
During the evening session, the beer began flowing as more people gathered downtown for the tastes of Germany and the sound of Jay Fox & the Bavarian Showtime Band.
Along with brats, Volkswagens, beer and German music, several brightly painted snowplow blades were on display during the event. The plow blades were part of a contest started by the city to promote art in area schools.
On the southside of the Courthouse Square, several VW Bugs and vans began to gather for the Roger S. Wright Memorial Cruise-in, which has been staple at the event for the past five years.
“I used to work on Volkswagens,” said Colburn, who’s also a VW fanatic.
“I just turned 74. I’m retired now and have my VWs at home.”
Bill Chapel brought his 1971 Bug, just as he has every year to show his ride and meet other VW collectors.
“It’s nice to meet other people from other clubs and other states,” he said of the cruise-in. “We have a guy from Canada who always drives in for it. It’s a lot of fun.”
• Mike Fletcher is the Kokomo Tribune crime reporter. He can be reached at (765) 454-8565 or mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com.
