FORT BLISS The German Air Force wants to throw one more big Oktoberfest bash before it starts the transition of winding down its operations here.
The German Air Force Air Defense Center will organize its 41st and final Oktoberfest on Sept. 20-22 at Fort Bliss.
The plan is to “go out with a bang,” said 1st Lt. Marco Hauff, public affairs and human resources officer for the Air Defense Center.
The Air Defense Center will remain at Fort Bliss until at least 2017, but will eventually move to Germany.
The German Air Force’s North American command, which is also headquartered here, will shut
down on Sept. 30.
Both moves are part of a major restructuring of the German military.
But for now, it’s time to have one final party to thank El Paso for its hospitality over the years, said Lt. Col. Kai Dittmar, one of the chief organizers.
Oktoberfest began in Munich in 1810 to celebrate a royal wedding. It has become a world-famous celebration and symbol of German culture. Over the past 40 decades, the local version has become a fixture in the Borderland. About 3,500 people attend the Fort Bliss event each year.
The annual three-day celebration is open to the public, but partygoers will need a ticket to get
in on the first two nights.
Tickets will go on sale on Aug. 5 but are expected to quickly sell out, as they always do, Dittmar said.
But don’t despair if you can’t get one of the coveted tickets. The final day is called “family day” and no tickets are needed.
This weekend in late September will be the final chance for El Pasoans to get a taste of real German culture and party with the folks of the German Air Force.
Even though the German Air Defense Center won’t close down until later this decade, airmen and civilians there know they’ll be going through a transition and don’t want the high standards of past Oktoberfests to slide backward, Dittmar said.
That’s why they decided this will be the last one they will organize.
The event will feature authentic German beer made especially for Oktoberfest. It will also spotlight German food such as schnitzel, red cabbage and spaetzle (a German noodle).
Entertainment will be provided by the Original Bavarian Brass Band from Germany, the German Air Force Schuhplattler dance troupe and Die Goassl Schnalzer, which are Bavarian whip-snapping performers.
Lennart Marzinke, an interpreter with the German Air Defense Center, has been a fixture at the Fort Bliss Oktoberfest the past three years, ever since he was assigned here. He plans on going once again.
“First of all, it’s kind of neat to celebrate with your colleagues and friends and with your American friends and work mates,” Marzinke said. “For me — and I think this goes for every German — it’s awesome to have access to authentic Oktoberfest beer.”
But when the last day rolls around, there will be some “melancholy in the air” that Sunday afternoon, Marzinke said.
“It is an end of a chapter and a symbol for all of us Germans who are stationed here that our assignment at Fort Bliss will eventually come to an end,” he said.
David Burge covers Fort Bliss. Contact him at 546-6126.
Make plans
- What: The German Air Force Air Defense Center’s 41st and final Oktoberfest.
- When, where: Sept. 20-22, 747 Carter Road at Fort Bliss. Festivities start at 6 p.m. Sept. 20-21 and at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 22.
- Cost: Tickets to attend one of the first two days cost $30 and include a commemorative beer stein and German meal. No tickets are needed on Sunday and admission is free.
- How to buy tickets: On sale Aug. 5. They can be purchased at the German Store, at 516-A Pleasonton at Fanner. The store is open 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.
- Information: 568-3884.