The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce announces plans for this year’s 6^th Effingham Oktoberfest on September 25, 26.

The Children’s Activity area is being greatly expanded this year with the addition of a Bull Ride, bungee jumps, games, a Petting Zoo and an exciting Water Walk where kids get inside a giant clear ball and roll around on a shallow pool of water. Of course Suncountry Amusements will have their inflatables and rock wall again and Robin will be on hand with her pony rides. Kids can try out the kids’ activities for free on the Friday from noon to 3pm. There will be plenty of talented artists and craftsmen so you can get your Christmas shopping started early.

On Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26 the Oktoberfest will be held in a 20-acre field beside Lowe’s and behind Rincon Chevrolet, called Freedom Park. Local German restaurant, the Schnitzel Shack, will head up the great food booth lineup. ‘We’ll have the best German food there, in addition to seafood, and all American food! This year the festival will finally have an ATM machine onsite so people can access more cash for their families’ fun.

Chamber Director, Rick Lott, said, “The festival will still feature the two large tents covering the stage and seating, as well as the beer trailers and tented seating there. Our Oompah Band, the Channelheimers, will be performing throughout the weekend again with a special treat – The German Friendship Dancers Group. This group of ladies is coming down from Augusta to show off some German dancing. A Kickoff Ceremony will be held Friday night at 6pm honoring our local Salzburger decendents and others. The Best Whiskers contest will take place at 6:30 following this ceremony.

Music for the Friday and Saturday will include slots for local musicians, entries for the Friday evening Battle of the Bands. Winner of the Battle of the Bands will receive $500 and the opening act slot on Saturday night. Headlining this year will be local favorite, Josh Sanders, who is bringing a band down from Nashville. Josh and his band are coming from Nashville and will go onstage Saturday night about 9:00pm.

Presenting Sponsor for this festival is Comcast, with the Effingham Herald sponsoring the music stage. Sponsors also include GA Power, Effingham Health System, Coca Cola, Rincon Chevrolet, Schnitzel Shack, Harold’s Body Shop, GeoVista Credit Union, Effingham Magazine, Enmark Stations, Ameris Bank, GA Transformer, Bathfitter, Verizon Wireless, TanTastic, Troy University, Moon River Studios, Amadysis,  HR Block, Renasant Bank, Coldwell Banker Intercoastal Realty, State Farm Insurance-Ashley Boyette, Allgood Pest Control, Edwards Interiors,  Papa John’s Pizza, Effingham NOW, City of Rincon, City of Guyton, Effingham NOW, Presnell Partners, TanTastic, Sen. Jack Hill, Rep. Jon Burns, AOK Portables, the Effingham IDA and more.