Oktoberfest finds new home at Barrett Center

Oktoberfest returns to Hot Springs this month at a new venue, The Barrett Center, on Friday and Saturday.

Tom Wilkins, who is promoting the event for the first time, said that rain would often spoil the festivities when Oktoberfest was held at outdoor venues, such as Hill Wheatley Plaza. Now, it will be held entirely indoors.

The two-day event will feature the Delta Brass Express, comprised of eight musicians, who will play German polka music, and include a dance marathon that will start at 4 p.m. Saturday and last for three hours.

Wilkins said when he was in college, he helped emcee a three-day dance marathon. “I think we slept for three days (after the event),” he said, noting that by the end of

the three-day dance, six of the 25 couples participating were still dancing.

While Saturday’s competition is only three hours long, Wilkins said the event will be judged. The winning couple will receive a $100 gift certificate to a concert of their choice at The Barrett Center within the next six months.

Wilkins said they will serve “authentic German food,” including Wiener schnitzel, knackwurst, smoked pork loin, German potato salad and German pizza. German beer will also be sold at the event.

While this is an adult-oriented event, Wilkins said children will be allowed. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Admission is free for children 5 and younger.

The monthly B-Bop Club will also be performing at The Barrett Center in the ballroom on Friday. Wilkins said this isn’t technically part of Oktoberfest, so those wishing to see the show will have to pay for admission, as it is not included in entry to Oktoberfest.

Since 2015, Oktoberfest served as a fundraiser for the FACES Foundation, but the foundation’s president and executive director, Ernie Hinz, and Oktoberfest favorite Dick Antoine approached Wilkins about taking it over after the foundation decided to change the theme of the fundraiser.

“They said, ‘Why don’t you do it?” Wilkins said, noting he is looking forward to the event.

“It’s always exciting when you’ve got a new project,” he said, noting it was a difficult event to tackle. “Nothing’s easy, but trying to overcome obstacles is part of the fun. I like challenges, always been up for a challenge we could succeed at.”

“We’re hoping this will be one of the better festivals that has been held … really encourage people to come out,” Wilkins said. “We need a lot of people so we can do it again next year.”