By Melissa Buckley
GUIDON staff
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Between the German bier, weisswurt and sounds of the Die Spitzbaum Band — the Fort Leonard Wood community experienced a taste of Bavaria at the Oktoberfest celebration Saturday.

The venue opened with food and beer sales, a traditional Volksmarch and children’s activities outside Nutter Field House. Inside the field house, the 399th Army Band got the party started with traditional Bavarian folk songs.

Doris Cox came to Oktoberfest wearing a “dirndl” — a type of traditional dress worn in Germany, especially Bavaria.

Cox moved to the U.S. in 1964 — the first place she ever lived with her Army husband was Fort Leonard Wood.

She said she enjoyed listening to the music and it reminded her of growing up in Munich, Germany.

“This is Bavaria. The Bavarian flag is everywhere. When I first walked in I said, ‘Oh my, this is almost like home,’” Cox said. “They did a great job decorating.”

Cox reminisced about her life in Munich and said her memories of the actual Oktoberfest are wonderful.

“It is incredible to see. The first bier tent was opened up in Munich in 1865. It is still there today and my mother even worked there from 1950 to 1984,” Cox said.

Cox and her family brought their “Vienie Vagon” from Springfield, Missouri. They were serving spezi, weisswurst, chicken doner kebabs, frankfurters with sweet senf, German potato salad and sauerkraut during the event.

“We have been working hard. We were up all night cutting up the sauerkraut and preparing the German potato salad,” Cox said. “All of the meat was imported from Bavaria.”

Later in the day Fort Leonard Wood leaders tapped the official keg, kicking off the evening events.

There was a barrel race, barrel toss and straight arm stein holding contest.

Danielle Curtis said her Army Family had a great time at Oktoberfest, and she would love to live in Germany someday.

“We haven’t been stationed in Germany, but are praying that we can one day. It would be a great adventure. My grandma is from Germany. I would like to do some research and see exactly where she lived,” Curtis said.  

Spc. Jacob Curtis, 232nd Engineer Company, 94th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, said he brought his Family to the event because it was a perfect opportunity to get them out of the house on a Saturday afternoon.

“It is nice that Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation host events like this. There was no cover charge to get in there. That was awesome,” Jacob Curtis said.

Of the Curtis Family, Danielle said their 4-year-old son, Emmett, was having the most fun.

“Emmett just loved the bounce houses,” she said.     

The night ended with “Gute Nacht” (Good Night) at 10 p.m.     

“I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be here,” Cox said.