The streets of Historic Downtown were filled with an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people on Saturday celebrating all things Germany at Plant City Main Street’s inaugural Oktoberfest.
Many cities across the U.S. celebrate Oktoberfest and this year Plant City joined in the festivities. German heritage or not, many donned lederhosen and dirndl giving the event a more authentic air. Also lending an air of authenticity, the open container law was set aside for the evening and beer and wine sales were held on the street so revelers could imbibe while strolling through the vendor booths, trying their hand at ax throwing and listening to German music played by live bands.
A bratwurst cooking contest was held during the event with a $500 prize available to the winner. Results of the contest were not available at press time.
Oktoberfest originated in 1810 in celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hilsburghausen. It is now a 16-to-18-day folk festival that runs from mid to late September to around the first Sunday in October.