The Coplay Saengerbund, 205 S. Fifth St., held its annual Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 10 at its outside grove in Coplay, coordinated by the heritage committee. The day began with a colorful parade honoring Germany, Austria, Hungary and Burgenland with their flags on display setting the stage for a fun afternoon.

The traditional celebration was well attended and featured ethnic foods, a variety of German beers for sale, music and dancing. Many of the attendees dressed in German and Austrian ethnic garb.

Music was provided by the Joseph Kroboth band and entertainment by the Auerhahn Schuhplattler Dancers, an Oktoberfest singalong and the Masskrugstemmen. Masskrugstemmen is a Bavarian group sport in which contestants hold a full beer stein in one hand with the arm completely outstretched and parallel to the floor. The contestant holding the stein for the longest time wins a prize.

The Schuhplattler (shoe slapper) dance is a folk dance with its roots in the 11th century in the Bavaria and Tyrolean Alps. It is a high energy dance that includes men, woman and children. Attendees in period, German dress participated in the dance.

The attendees were serenaded with musicians playing an alphorn, or alpine horn. The horn is a long-necked horn used in the alps to send messages or simply play music.

One could watch attendees dressed in dirndi and lederhosen as they danced and mingled with friends. One could feel a sense of being transported back to the early 19th century Oktoberfests.

Oktoberfest has a long history. The first one occurred Oct. 12, 1810, in Munich, Germany, to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

The celebration endured through history and remains a happy celebration of friendship.

In Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest runs for two weeks beginning in mid-September, culminating on the first Sunday in October. It is a celebration of history, gathering and an effort to reproduce the Bavarian sense of gemutlichkeit, which is defined as geniality, friendliness, warmth and good cheer.