Oktoberfest season has arrived in Helen, bringing crowds to enjoy German food, music and fun.
The festivities throughout the city began Thursday, Sept. 9, and will continue through Sunday, Nov. 7. At the Helen Festhalle (1074 Edelweiss Strasse), Oktoberfest celebrations will run from Sept. 9-12, Sept. 16-19, Sept. 23-26, then daily from Sept. 30 through Nov. 7. On Thursdays, the event is from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and costs $8. On Fridays, it is from 6 p.m. to midnight, and costs $8. Saturdays the event is from 1 p.m. to midnight and costs $10. Sundays is from 1-7 p.m. and entry is free. Food and drinks are an additional cost. For more information, visit helenchamber.com or call 706-878-1908.
The annual Oktoberfest parade is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11, at noon in downtown Helen. The parade starts on Edelweiss Strasse near the Festhalle, turns down Chattahoochee Strasse before making its way onto Main Street and ending at Betty’s Country Store.
Helen Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Renee Green said because the parade is on Sept. 11, military personnel and first responders – past, present, and future – will be recognized as the Grand Marshall during the parade. There will be banners for them at the start of the parade.
Green says they are following the guidelines suggested by the governor’s office, which includes suggesting people wear masks and social distance at the event.
Following the parade on Sept. 11 will be the first of many ceremonial tappings of the keg throughout Helen. The first one will take place that same day at 1:30 p.m. at the Helen Festhalle, with additional tappings at 3 p.m. at Cowboys & Angels Restaurant, 4 p.m. at the Troll Tavern and 5 p.m. at Cafe International.
Keg tappings are scheduled to be held every weekend: Sept. 18 – noon at King Ludwig’s Biergarten, 1 p.m. at The Heidelberg, 2 p.m. at Alpine Brew Deck and 3 p.m. at Two Tire Tavern; • Sept. 25 – noon at Schatzie’s Cafe, 1 p.m. at Hofbrauhaus, 2 p.m. at Betty’s Country Store, and 3 p.m. at Hofer’s Bakery & Cafe ; • Oct. 2 – noon at Slice of Helen, 1 p.m. at Bigg Daddys, 2 p.m. at The Hayloft and 3 p.m. at Bodensee; • Oct. 9 – noon at Monday’s Pub, 1 p.m. at Spice 55, 2 p.m. at Sweet Acre Wine, 3 p.m. at Chattahoochee Dog Haus and 4 p.m. at River Haus.
To participate in the keg tappings, a person must be 21 and older and present a valid ID. Schedules updates are at the Fashingsverien Helen Facebook page or helenga.org.
During the month of October, Don Ostrowsky will perform German music live at the bandshell in the marketplatz in downtown Helen, said Jerry Brown, executive director for the Alpine Helen/White County CVB. Ostrowsky will perform every Friday through Sunday from Oct. 1-24, as well as Thursday through Saturday Oct. 28-30. Performances will run from noon to 3 p.m.
The volksmarch, an organized march through town. planned by the Faschingsverein Helen group, is set for Saturday, Oct. 23. Participants will follow a route around Helen and can get cards marked as they make their way along the way. For updates, visit Facebook.com/fvhelen.