Crowds gather for third annual Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest

Jackson Mayor Dwain Hahs raised his mug of beer to offer a "prost," or a traditional German toast, to good weather and a great turnout to open the third annual Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest on Saturday morning.

Bob Schooley, part of the event's organizing team, said this year's turnout was substantially more impressive than the past two Oktoberfests in Jackson.

"Compared to last year, we've got easily double or triple the number of attendees," he said, gesturing to the thousands milling about Uptown Jackson. "We've had some real troupers come out in previous years, but with weather as nice as this, it's been this busy beginning at 10 o'clock this morning."

Because admission was free, Schooley said, there was no way to track exactly how many people came and went during the course of the day, but it amounted to thousands.

And those who turned out had plenty of attractions to keep them occupied. There were craftspeople, face-painting, baked goods, a car show, doughnut-eating contests and all sorts of burgers, brats and other German fare.

Jimmy Smith takes a sip of his favorite beer of the day Saturday during the Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest. (Glenn Landberg)

And, of course, an Oktoberfest-worthy beer selection.

"That's the best part, isn't it?" Schooley said. "They're not all craft beers, but we've got some, as well as lots of fall and German beers."

Many seemed to be in the spirit of the season. But some, such as the Wunderlich family, took an extra step and dressed in traditional German garb. Four-year-old Auggie and his father, Chris, wore matching lederhosen, while Auggie's little sister, Olivia, and their mother, Missy, wore dirndls.

"We've attended [the Jackson Oktoberfest] for all three years," Missy said. "We like the community involvement, but especially with weather like this, it's great."

"It's rained the past two years," Chris said. "We were worried in previous years that it would kill the event before it really got a chance to get started."

The Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest on Saturday. (Glenn Landberg)

But he said it now looks like it's enjoying a broad base of community support.

"Every year, it seems a little like it's growing," he said.

"We've got more vendors, more beer and lots more kids' activities this year," Schooley said. "That's probably our biggest growth area is kids' activities."

In addition to face-painting, sidewalk chalk and beanbag toss, the Cape Girardeau County Fire Fighters' Association had ways for children to get involved, such as the simulator that teaches how to escape a home fire.

"It teaches kids what to do if their house is on fire," said 10-year-old Jacob Davis, who said it was his favorite part of the festival. "I've done it probably five times."

Sausages cook on the grill at the Mary Jane Burgers and Brew booth Saturday at the Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest. (glandberg@ semissourian.com)

Attendees also were treated to Pat Schwent -- also known about town as Saxy Jazz -- who provided traditional Bavarian music with her lederhosen-clad German band.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627

Pertinent address:

Jackson, Mo.