The contestants of this year’s Traditional German Dress Contest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Volunteers help sell the official City of Newberry Oktoberfest t-shirts.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Some visitors got into the Oktoberfest spirit.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Families enjoying the carousel in Kindertown.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Members of the Rotary Club of Newberry passed out popcorn during Oktoberfest. Pictured left to right: Scott Bellows, John Glasgow, Mark Scott, Christina Whitaker, Beverly Leslie and Mel Kitchens.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
The Komatsu big loader tractor greeted visitors on their way into the festival.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Eddie Hall, from Prosperity, dressed up in German garb.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Classic cars on display during the festival.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Bob Wilusz performs on his accordion during Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Kevin Duval (Columbia), Tracy Riddle (West Columbia) and Clinton Riddle (West Columbia) all dressed up for Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
The 282nd Army Band from Fort Jackson kicked off the Newberry Oktoberfest T-Mobile Rocktoberfest Stage.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Children enjoy the ride in Kindertown.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
A glorious musical orchestrion wagon on display at Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Adults try their hands at inflatable axe throwing.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Daniel Nicholson and Joseph Berry, with the Newberry Jaycees, selling beer at the charitable biergarten.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Lana Brown, Kathy Davenport, Courtney Suber and Beth Hipp sell goodies for the Newberry Opera House Guild during the festival.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Angie Keil, of Newberry, dressed in German clothing for the festival.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Visitors had a ton of vendors to shop from at the Newberry Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Live music being performed in the streets during Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Gisela Kloess (The Haute Dog Lady) shows off her seasoned kraut.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
The Newberry Observer staff at their tent during Oktoberfest. Pictured, left to right: Andrew Wigger, Rubi Flores, Jared Harmon and Andy Husk.
Chief Kevin Goodman | For The Newberry Observer
Folks take to the streets to do the Chicken Dance.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Elisha Teegardin, of Newberry, dressed in German garb on her way to the Traditional German Dress Contest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Dr. Sarah Rush dances with her son, Will, during Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
The Hansen family, from Spartanburg, dressed up for the City of Newberry’s Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
The children’s portion of the Traditional German Dress Contest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Doris Singley, of Newberry, dressed up for the Traditional German Dress Contest and was one of the winners.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Connor Garland, of Newberry, was one of the younger contestants dressed up for the Traditional German Dress Contest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Classic cars and muscle cars on display.
Rubi Flores | The Newberry Observer
Food vendors cooking up a storm at the Newberry Oktoberfest.
Rubi Flores | The Newberry Observer
A Kubota tractor on display from Wilson Tractor during Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Ryan Trotti performing during Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Barbara Chapman (right) and Cheryl Wilson (left) at the Newberry County Literacy booth.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Unique items for sale during the Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Newberry County First Steps Executive Director Sarah Eargle and Parent Educator Sonnia Luviano at their booth.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Joseph Stromberg, of Greenville, dressed up for the celebration.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Graydon Kinard, of Newberry, came dressed up in German garb for the festival.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
The Columbia Marinettes perfomred “The World of Anasi the Spider” at The Ritz during Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Captain Michael Kennedy, Chief Kevin Goodman, Councilperson Jackie Holmes and Oswaldo Tapia.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Michael Harth, of Chapin, dressed up in German garb for the City of Newberry’s Oktoberfest.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
The 3 Dot Polka Band hit the stage at 11:30 a.m.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Tyler Shackleford and Dexter Stinson helped out The Newberry Observer by passing out maps.
Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Joshua L . Lindsay (right), from Clinton, was the Newberry County Literacy Council’s guest author for Oktoberfest. Lindsay is the author of “You Were Taught Better Than That.” He is pictured with Councilperson Jackie Holmes.
Barbara Chapman | For The Newberry Observer
NEWBERRY — The City of Newberry held their biggest festival of the year, Oktoberfest, over the weekend and early estimates are saying about 20,000 people attended this year.
“Based on past attendance, we are estimating 20,000 people,” said Bridget Carey, tourism and events manager with City of Newberry Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
Overall, Carey said she thinks this year’s Oktoberfest went great.
“People were very pleased, the vendors were impressed with how well organized it was, it went well,” she said. “Overall, the atmosphere was positive, everyone seemed to have a good time, generally a great atmosphere.”
A couple of highlights this year that Carey said they’d like to continue include the Newberry Made artists on Boyce Street.
“That was a nice addition to the event,” she said.
Also the balloon art at Kindertown, Carey said that was a draw to that part of the festival and made the event “pop.”
This year, the City of Newberry’s official Oktoberfest shirt was new, making green the 2021 color. According to Carey, they almost sold out.
“Was a huge hit and we like to switch it up every year. There will be a new shirt next year, for sure,” Carey said.
One again, the Newberry Jaycees were in charge of the Charitable Biergarten. Joseph Berry, the project manager for the biergarten, said they sold out of all the beer again this year.
“The Newberry Jaycees were really happy with how the community biergarten happened this year. We sold out of all of our beer again this year, and with that were able to raise funds for Jaycee community projects throughout Newberry. The support from not only the City of Newberry, but our partners and patrons made it seem like we never even missed a year of celebrating Oktoberfest. Everyone in our organization had a great time putting on the biergarten and we are already looking forward to next year and how to make it even better,” he said.
Mayor Foster Senn agreed with the overall consensus, this year’s festival was a success.
“People came early and people continued to come throughout the day. We really appreciate the support of the community and I think people were glad to get out,” he said. “The stores and vendors did an outstanding job and we heard many compliments about the day and how much fun people had.”
Senn also gave a special thank you to city staff.
“It’s a great effort that involves many departments, led by PRT, and they all did an outstanding job,” he said. “We really thank the community for supporting the festival and our volunteers who helped greatly.”
Reach Andrew Wigger @ 803-768-3122 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.