Clarksville Edelweiss Club is celebrating its Oktoberfest and you are invited to join the party Friday and Saturday for some authentic Bavarian “Gemuetlichkeit.”

 “This is the 35th year that our club has sponsored the Oktoberfest,” said Debbie Whitaker, club president. “It’s pretty impressive when you think about it.”

Festivities commence at 4 p.m. Friday at Clarksville Speedway and Fairground, 1600 Needmore Road, Clarksville. The celebration beings officially at 6 p.m. with a parade and the traditional tapping of the first beer keg.

“We will present the colors – German and American,” Whitaker said, adding that parade participants will be dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing – men in lederhosen and dirndls for the ladies.

Oktoberfest offers fun for everyone, Whitaker said.

“There will be something for all ages,” she said.

For children there will be “pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables and a train.”

For those longing for a taste of Bavaria, members of the Edelweiss Club are preparing food for the festival, including German potato salad, sauerkraut, schnitzel and bratwurst.

“All of our food is fresh and homemade,” she said.

“Not too many fests can say that.”

As a matter of fact, the club has a special schnitzel-making team in charge of one of the event’s most coveted entrees.

“It is all fresh made and authentic,” Whitaker said. And for dessert, “we have a coffeehouse that will have handmade dessert.”

The oompah bands Pro’st and Mitternaechter will set the mood with Bavarian folk music to get Oktoberfest-goers out on the dance floor. Even if you don’t know how to foxtrot or do the Chicken Dance, everyone is welcome to take part in the “gaudi” (Bavarian for great fun).

The original Oktoberfest took place in Munich in 1810, back when Bavaria was a kingdom. The festivities celebrated the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Louis, later King Louis I of Bavaria, and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

Although the Kingdom of Bavaria has long since become a German state, its residents continue the Oktoberfest tradition with a celebration that spans the last two weeks in September and the first week in October each year.

Clarksville’s only German-American club began in 1981, and thanks to families of the original members the club its Oktoberfest celebrations continue, Whitaker said.

“Three of the original members will be recognized at the fest,” she said.

“The third generation of families are working to make [Clarksville’s Oktoberfest] possible. It is [the original members’] grandchildren who are allowing this to continue.”

Whitaker added that the club will have an information booth at the festival. She encourages anyone interested in learning more about Clarksville Edelweiss Club or those interested in becoming a member to stop by for a chat.

“You don’t have to be German to be a member,” Whitaker said, “you just have to love the culture.”

Terms and Cheers

Prost: A toast

Gemuetlichkeit: Comfortable friendliness

Gruess Gott: The Bavarian national greeting. Translated “Greetings to God.”

Schunkeln: The Oktoberfest tent has communal tables with long benches, and when the band plays certain songs everyone locks arms and sways back and forth.

Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi!: A cheer that you will hear often in the Oktoberfest tent, usually started by the band and the audience responds.

FESTIVAL information

WHAT: Clarksville Edelweiss Club’s Oktoberfest, featuring authentic German food, dance, music and more.

WHEN: 4 p.m. through midnight, Friday; and 2 p.m. until midnight, Saturday.

WHERE: Clarksville Speedway and Fairgound, 1600 Needmore Road, Clarksville.

ADMISSION: Charge is $5 for adults. Children ages 15 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

CALL: 931-647-0243