Collegiate Times

Traditional German oompah band, the Sauerkraut Band, plays at Mountain Lake Hotel's annual Oktoberfest celebration. This is the 21st year of the festival and it kicked off last Saturday to coincide with Germany's festival.

The Sauerkraut Band plays continuously for three hours starting at 7 p.m., an hour after dinner officially starts. The band pauses in between each song for traditional German chants that encourage merriment and drinking. Schwartz and other Mountain Lake Hotel staffers are sure to clink glasses with everyone sitting at a banquet table.

Although alcohol consumption is generally encouraged, Schwartz said it's not a necessity and will knock cups filled with tea, coffee and water as well.

In between each song is the occasional impromptu polka, waltz and, yes, even a special rendition of the "Funky Chicken."

One "Funky Chicken" participant, Stephan Ross, an academic adviser at Virginia Military Institute, said he decided to go up on stage and play the rubber chickens the band had provided because they looked like they needed help.

Ross attended Oktoberfest with his friend, De-dee Foti, a nursing professor for Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke.

"The fact that they can get him up on stage says a lot," said Foti of the Sauerkraut Band.

Those called to the front of the stage are rewarded with a shot of Jagermeister for their efforts, like Foti was at one point during the night. Participants, such as one Nebraska Cornhusker fan, were asked to whistle along with the band. Others were asked about their professions, and one young man eventually managed to slur out "Aeropostale."

Group activities are also encouraged throughout the night. Attendees are asked to link arms with the person sitting beside them and sway back and forth to the music. Polka and waltz music are also played during the celebration. To the casual observer, a polka or waltz, seems to consist of little more than jumping around. However, the dances are supposed to be fun, and finesse is not a requirement on the dance floor.

To cap the night off, all who were able to get up were asked to stand up, get in a line and put their hands on the shoulders of the person standing in front of them as band director Schwartz led them in a parade around the banquet tables.

Schwartz officially closed out the night with another toast and left attendees with a final thought.

"You don't have to go home," he said, "but you can't stay here."

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