Box dinners, online activities part of this year’s festival
A poster by FMWR promotes Oktoberfest activities, including ‘Oktoberfest in a Box,’ which lets patrons order German-style food and pick it up Oct. 2 from Ozark Tavern. The deadline to order is Monday. (Courtesy graphic)
Like many activities in the era of COVID-19, Fort Leonard Wood’s Oktoberfest celebration is a little different this year. But Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation patrons can still enjoy the sights and flavors of German culture through its “Oktoberfest in a Box” special at Ozark Tavern and “Virtual Oktoberfest” on the FMWR Facebook page.
Both events happen Oct. 2.
Designed to let patrons bring home a taste of Germany, Okoberfest in a Box allows members of the Fort Leonard Wood community to order individual meals for $9 or a family meal for four people for $35 from Ozark Tavern. Orders will be available for pick-up from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at the restaurant.
Each meal includes bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad and apple strudel. A six-pack of German beer can also be ordered for $13.
Orders can be placed now through 2 p.m. Monday by calling Ozark Tavern at 573.596.0001.
“(When FMWR Installation Wide) Events changed their normal event into a virtual one, Food and Beverage wanted to participate so the virtual Oktoberfest could take physical form in people’s homes,” explained Chloe Williams, FMWR Food and Beverage manager, who added that along with the food, “the boxes come with some fun props.”
Virtual fun
FMWR will have a variety of activities taking place on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mwr.ftwood throughout the day Oct. 2, according to LoraLee Neubeck with Installation Wide Events.
FMWR will hold most of its Oktoberfest events online. (Illustration by GUIDON staff)
“We will have a Best Dressed Contest where we’ll have people send in pictures wearing their dirndls and lederhosen, and we’re also hoping people will send in one-minute videos of themselves or their families doing the chicken dance.”
FMWR will also offer its own soft-pretzel recipe for people to try at home, as well as hold an Oktoberfest Trivia Contest.
“(The Facebook page) will put all that out that week,” Neubeck said. “We wanted to let people know in advance so they can get their videos together and be ready to answer the trivia questions.”
Oktoberfest history
Oktoberfest celebrations date back to a German royal wedding held in 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria was wedded to Princess Therese von SachsenHildburghausen near Munich. Their wedding celebration was so popular that the party took place again the following year, prompting the start of the traditional German celebration now known worldwide.
As immigrants from Germany came to North America, smaller versions of Oktoberfest sprouted up in thousands of communities across the country.
More info
For more information about Oktoberfest in a Box and FMWR’s virtual Oktoberfest celebration, visit the Facebook page or the FMWR website at https://leonardwood.armymwr.com.
