Coplay Saengerbund, 205 S. Fifth St., held its annual Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 15 on a day with perfect weather at its outside grove in the borough. The weather and large crowd enhanced the fun of dancing to polka songs, listening to German beer drinking songs, singing the chant “Ein Prosit” and playing Oktoberfest games.

The day began with a colorful parade honoring Germany, Austria, Hungary and Burgenland with their flags being carried by women dressed in colorful German garb that set the stage for merriment all afternoon. Emil Schanta led the parade throughout the outside grove.

“Ein Prosit,” a popular German Oktoberfest verse, is sung right before a band is about to take a break. Its lyrics are sung by the band and attendees with “Ein Prosit” sung several times. After the short song, beer glasses and large mugs are raised in the air by revelers singing the words, “Oans, zwoa, drei, Gsuffa!” The meaning is “one, two, three, drink.” It’s then followed by the words, “Zicke, Zacke, Zicke, Zacke, Ho, Ho, Ho,” which means “a toast, a toast, a cozy place.”

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

Eleanor Kovalchik, of Northampton, was dressed in red and white, with a hint of green, orange and blue designs on the fabric. Kovalchik, with an amiable demeanor, is of German descent and enjoys the Oktoberfest and other similar events for the commemoration of her heritage.

Coplay residents Bob Groff, Alison Fuschetto and Rita Fatul were having a delightful time with friends as they ate, drank and had fun during this special day. Groff strongly recommended the excellent goulash.

Oktoberfest has a long history; the first 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. It was a time when empires run by monarchies led most of Europe. The first World War ended empire rule from Great Britain to Russia, but Oktoberfest managed to survive because the people had the desire for collective enjoyment and entertainment.

Oktoberfest’s durability was demonstrated in post-empires as it outlasted the rise and defeat of fascism in Europe that led to the second World War. It now is a nonpolitical, happy celebration of friendship and joy. Oktoberfest is open to all people seeking fun and fellowship, no matter one’s nationality.

In Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest runs for two weeks beginning in mid-September and culminating on the first Sunday in October. It is a celebration of its history of people gathering after the last harvest of the year prior to the coming winter. The Saengerbund’s event is an effort to reproduce the Bavarian sense of the German word gemutlichkeit, which means geniality and friendliness.

Music was provided by the Josef Kroboth Band and entertainment by the Auerhahn Schuhplattler Dancers, an Oktoberfest singalong, and the Masskrugstemmen. The talented Kroboth band played not only Bavarian and ethnic songs but also popular songs like Jerry Lee Lewis’ hit song “I’m All Shook Up.”

Masskrugstemmen is a Bavarian group sport. Contestants hold a 1-liter stein filled with beer. The stein must be held by one arm only and with the arm completely extended out and parallel to the floor. The contestant holding the stein for the longest time wins a prize.

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

Musicians playing an alphorn, or alpine horn, typically entertain attendees at Oktoberfest events. The horn, used pre-internet and satellite methods, is a long-necked horn used in the Alps to send messages like announcing dinner is ready or simply to play music.

One could watch attendees dressed in trachten, such as vests, dirndl and lederhosen, as they danced, socialized and felt a sense of being transported back two centuries to the early-19th-century Oktoberfests.

During all of these activities, coordinated by the Saengerbund’s heritage committee, one could experience a sense of goodwill, friendliness and cheer during the four-and-a-half-hour event. The historical-based experience was the definition of gemutlichkeit.