A food-drink-fun Oktoberfest celebration is on tap at Uchee Creek and you’re invited

You could venture to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, but that event, which requires a jet plane to get there, has already come and gone in that legendary Bavarian oasis of delicious brats and stout beer.

Or you might motor north to Helen, for its 48th annual Oktoberfest in the scenic hills of north Georgia. That fest still runs through Oct. 28, but it’s a 400-mile round trip from Columbus.

Much, much closer to home and offering way more food and entertainment than the average fun-seeker might imagine is the annual Oktoberfest celebration taking place Friday through Sunday at Uchee Creek Campground and Marina on the edge of Fort Benning. The event typically draws more than 31,000 people over three days, the post said.

Admission is $5 per person each day for those 18 and older. Those 17 and under are free of charge, but must have an adult with them.

Festivities kick off at 4 p.m. Friday with games, contests, children’s activities, carnival rides, a keg-tapping ceremony, a stein hoisting contest with a cash prize, and entertainment provided by Bavarian Yodelers and Sonnenschein Express. Food and beverages, to include a variety of German beers, will be available for purchase in and around the fest tent, with the fest going until 10 p.m.

Saturday is the big day, with three healthy events lined up starting at 9 a.m. They include a 10K Cross Country Challenge, a 5K Family Fun Run and a traditional Volksmarch for those wanting to stretch their legs, but not their lungs.

Children’s activities and rides begin at 10 a.m. and run through 8 p.m., including hay rides, a quad jump, Krazy Hair, face painting, a pumpkin patch, pony rides, pontoon boat rides, a petting zoo and inflatable attractions.

The pet-friendly event includes canine competitions, which include categories of “Best Dressed,” “Doggie Doppelganger” and “Top Dog Trick,” capping off with a Dachshund Derby.

Again, the beer will be flowing and the sausages cooking much of the day as the yodelers and bands put everyone into the Oktoberfest spirit. A keg-tossing contest and stein hoisting preliminaries and final also will be held as the day unfolds until its 10 p.m. close.

Capping the three-day event on Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. and going until 6 p.m., will be more of the same eating, drinking and being merry with the fest tent band and yodelers. Children’s activities and the carnival will continue, as will the pontoon boat rides and a drum circle. A non-denominational chapel service is scheduled at 11 a.m.

Those heading to Fort Benning’s Oktoberfest, which is organized by the post’s Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation, should note that the event is open to the general public. However, civilians do not need to obtain a post access pass if they use the Ala. Hwy. 165 entrance to the Uchee Creek area. There also will be a shuttle service from other areas of the post to the Oktoberfest site, although pets are not allowed on the shuttles.

For food and beverage purchases at the festival site, the 20 or so vendors that will be at the fest will be accepting $1 tokens that may be purchased at the site, with any tokens that go unused by the time revelers leave being redeemed for their full value.

While German beer will be plentiful, along with non-alcoholic drinks, food will include schnitzel, bratwurst, landjaeger, meterwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels and kartoffelsalat (potato salad). For those not into traditional Bavarian cuisine, there also will be burgers, hotdogs, corn dogs, nachos, chicken, barbecue, turkey legs, Philly cheese steak sandwiches and fries. Snacks will include cake, cookies, crepes, funnel cakes, popcorn, roasted nuts, candy apples, ice cream and Italian ice.

As the Germans say, “Essen, trinken und spass haben,” which simply means eat, drink and have fun.

This story was originally published October 16, 2018 at 3:30 PM.