Volunteers starting new downtown event with Oktoberfest

Sep. 30—Everything is moving forward for what a group of volunteers hope will become an annual ongoing event in downtown McAlester.

It began when the volunteers hoped to start a new McAlester tradition. Now, a major Oktoberfest celebration is set for Oct. 27-28 , a Friday and Saturday, in downtown McAlester.

Plans for a new Oktoberfest celebration stared with Dennis Wilson, who has been involved with organizing several major events in McAlester. Soon after Wilson starting talking about the possibilities, other volunteers came on board to begin planning the the two-day celebration.

They included representatives from the the Southeast Oklahoma Library System, the city of McAlester, the McAlester Police Department, Disabled American Veterans, the DAV Ladies Auxiliary, Oklahomans for Independent Living and others.

Wilson has been encouraged by the response.

"Right now, it's looking like it's going to be a huge event," he said.

"I hope it grows and continues for years to come," said Wilson.

Wilson said he wanted to do something for a long time to help the downtown merchants grow and get recognized and Oktoberfest seemed like a great way to do it.

"We're 100 miles from any of the biggest towns," Wilson said. "This brings a lot of events together into one area."

"I think it's going to be a fantastic event," Wilson said. "It's a matter of getting people to come out and make this a success." If they do, Oktoberfest will probably go on and on, he said.

Southeast Oklahoma Library System Marketing Director Eddie Gray has been involved from the first, designing the main Oktoberfest poster and also the poster for the Oktoberfest Poker Run.

Gray said he's glad to assist.

"We want to be part of the community and community events," Gray said. "If we can help McAlester succeed, we want to offer our help."

He's previously worked on other festivals, including the Old Town Western Festival.

"I've got a lot of experience with festivals, so I thought. I would lend a helping hand," said Gray.

Wilson suggested combining Oktoberfest with other downtown events to make it even more of an inclusive celebration, with the idea of drawing even more people and activities.

While the main Oktoberfest activities are set along Choctaw Avenue between Fifth Street and Third Street, related activities will be held in the general area, including other parts of Choctaw Avenue extending west to South Main Street and at the nearby Arvest Park.

Many details have already been finalized or are close to completion.

"The McAAP stage is reserved," Wilson said, referring to the portable stage owned by the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, which he said will be used during the Oktoberfest celebration. "We've moved the stage to the east side of Fifth Street," Wilson said, noting it will be set up at Fifth Street and Choctaw Avenue, near the Ice House.

McAlester Mayor John Browne is set to preside over opening ceremonies, set for 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, on the outdoor stage.

What can those attending the main Oktoberfest event between Fifth and Third Streets along Choctaw Avenue expect?

"Music, food, games, costumes," Wilson said, mentioning a few examples.

Wilson said the group is renting a big 48 feet by 78 feet beer tent, where festival-goers can relax and enjoy something to eat and drink during Oktoberfest, with plans for kraft breweries, both locally and from around the state, to be set up at the site.

Some smaller 20 feet by 20 feet tents will also be set up, he said.

All three McAlester wineries — Whispering Meadows Winery, Country Aire Estates and Urban Wineworks — plans to set up to feature the local wineries with wine-tasting during Oktoberfest, Wilson said.

Dan Herron, of The Music Store, wit some of his music students, will be among those performing on the outdoor stage, Wilson said.

Other activities are expected to center around Halloween, while the Oktoberfest celebration is ongoing.

Wilson noted the downtown Trunk or Treat Party on the Street celebration is set from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Oct. 28, also along Choctaw Avenue, extending from Third Street west to South Main Street.

Kyle Spruce, of Downtown 312, is hosting a haunted house inside the venue again this year. It's set to be open from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, and will be presented free to the public, Wilson said.

Other Oktoberfest activities include a cornhole tournament, bingo at the OKLA Theatre, a disc golf tournament at the Eagle Hill Disc Golf Course, a poker run, a 5-K run and more.

Three McAlester hotels — the Comfort Inn, Extended Stay and Holiday Inn — are working with the Oktoberfest event, Wilson said. Oklahomans for Independent Living will provide shuttles from those three sites to the Oktoberfest celebration, Wilson said.

Veterans groups, including DisabledAmerican Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars, with have informational booths at the event.

So far, there have been two planning meetings bringing together all of the volunteers from each participating organization, with at least one more expected to wrap things up as Oktoberfest nears.

McAlester Attorney Brett Cable, who said he's also an owner of BierKraft in McAlester, said organizers are working on obtaining a nonprofit tax-exempt status.

More activities are still in the panning stages, with Wilson, Helfenbein, Gray and others continuing to finalize details.

While deep in the planning process, Wilson is looking forward to seeing the finished result.

"I hope everybody will be happy with the event when it's over," he said.