Couple bringing love of Oktoberfest to all Wetumpka this weekend

Shannon Heupel, Montgomery Advertiser
·4 min read

Around 2019, Lucky Lawrence and wife Kate strolled into the Coosa Cleaver dressed in their Oktoberfest finest — lederhosen and dirndl all the way. They were apparently the only ones in Wetumpka ready to party.

That's when the couple realized Wetumpka needed its own official Oktoberfest.

"My wife and I, living in Germany we had experienced a number of them," said Lucky, who is retired from the Air Force. "In fact, I helped set up one. We figured we could help kickstart this."

About three years and a pandemic later, their dream for downtown Wetumpka is about to come true on Friday and Saturday. It appears not even Hurricane Ian will be able to stop it as the storm churns up the East Coast.

"It looks like, as far as the current forecast, things are going to hold out for us," said Lucky, Oktoberfest Wetumpka's organizer and owner of Provisions Cheese and Wine Shoppe, 101 E. Bridge St. Each night of Oktoberfest is from 4-9 p.m.

"Come rain or not, we're going to be doing it," Lucky said.

After getting a sense of interest around downtown and getting the city's blessing, Lucky found a partner in Main Street Wetumpka to line up a huge list of Oktoberfest sponsors.

"That told us this is something people want, so we turned it into a two-day music festival, art show, craft show, farmer's market," Lucky said. "We've got lots of food vendors."

Along with their own Provisions, local eateries getting into the Oktoberfest spirit include Grumpy Dog, Georges' River Market & Butchery, Smokin Wells BBQ, The Coosa Cleaver, Copper House Deli and more. The food truck from Phenix City's German Food, Gifts and More, will feature:

  • Jägerschnitzel

  • Schnitzel Sandwich

  • German Red Cabbage and Sauerkraut

  • German Potato Salad

  • Bavarian Fleischkäse Brötchen

  • Thuringer, Bavarian, White, Swiss Cheese, and Beer Brats, as well as numerous other smoked and cooked Bratwurst

  • Weiß Wurst, sweet mustard, and Laugenstangen

  • Bavarian Pretzel with Beer cheese or mustard

  • German Pretzel Bun Burger

  • Laugen Pretzel Sticks

  • Plus imported German Drinks such as Fanta, Speci, Mezzo Mix, and Almdudler

Lucky said most businesses across downtown will be open late both nights. He and Kate are trying to turn Wetumpka's Oktoberfest into an annual event.

"We're hoping that next year it'll be all day both days," Lucky said. "In the following years, we're hoping to expand it to even more days. Most Oktoberfests, like the one in Cullman, are a week long."

There will be plenty of beer at Wetumpka's Oktoberfest to quench your thirst.
There will be plenty of beer at Wetumpka's Oktoberfest to quench your thirst.

Lucky said a common misconception about Oktoberfest is that it's only about beer. Giant mugs of beer. Yes, beer has become a traditional part of it, and you'll find lots of it around Wetumpka this weekend. Lucky said the Coosa Cleaver even has a beer hoisting contest planned — which traditionally means a test of strength holding about five pounds of beer with an extended arm parallel to the ground.

"People will be able to get their beer and wine from the local pouring establishments and walk throughout the town," Lucky said, speaking of the city's entertainment district. Just remember that venues frown on bringing someone else's alcohol into their establishments.

Lucky said Oktoberfest actually a celebration of the fall harvest.

"Since we're surrounded by farmers, right as we're kicking off the fall we thought why not? It could be a really good opportunity for everybody," Lucky said. "A lot of fun."

Three stages for live music all evening

"We've got 12 bands that are going to be playing over the course of two days," Lawrence said.

There are three music stages set up across downtown. Stage 1 is in the city's parking lot to the right of Coaches (no parking in Coaches lot). Stage 2 is on Hill Street. Stage 3 is on Commerce Street, behind the Chamber of Commerce facing the Elmore County Courthouse.

Friday from 4-6:30 p.m. is

  • Stage 1: Tammy's Academy of Dance performance and The Alley Stompers (Polka band)

  • Stage 2: David Jones

  • Stage 3: Lisa Raymond

Friday from 6:30-9 p.m.

  • Stage 1: Michael "Jay" Hughes

  • Stage 2: Joe Hare

  • Stage 3: 13 Seconds of Silence

Saturday 4-6:30 p.m.

  • Stage 1: Taylor Bagi Band

  • Stage 2: Fireside Alibi

  • Page 3: Face The World

Saturday 6:30-9 p.m.

  • Stage 1: Smoke & Mirrors

  • Stage 2: Smith and Buck

  • Stage 3: TBD

Oktoberfest vendors

Among the Oktoberfest vendors already announced will be:

  • Fruit & Flora - baked goods, jams and jellies

  • Magnoli Dips and Spreads

  • Popwell Produce

  • Sabrina's Pots & Pies - flower pots, pies and plants

  • Goldipops - cake pops

  • Southern Cottage Sweets - baked goods

  • Blue Ribbon Dairy - ice cream

  • The Sweet Hook-Up - lemonade

  • Cafe Louisa - baked goods

  • Master Gardeners - plants

  • Jim's Hill WaxWorks - candles and soap

  • Created by Geneva - cups wreaths, keychains, etc.

  • Christensen Creations - fabric arts, enhanced photography

  • Linda Lee Art

  • Kudzu Hill Handmade

  • Muscadine Creek Creamery

  • Daisy Co. Creations

  • Marty Woodall Art

  • Kelci Lewis Art

  • Twisted Spoons

  • Cheryl Teel Art and Jewelry

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Couple bringing love of Oktoberfest to all Wetumpka this weekend