By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The sun was shining brightly this morning for the opening of the 47th annual Hays Oktoberfest, despite a brisk northwest breeze and a wind chill of 26 degrees.

Organizers were prepared for the drastic weather change and had set up propane heaters in nearly every booth and tent dotting the Municipal Park grounds.

The opening ceremony included a welcome from members of the local Volga German Society, Nick Werth and Tom Haas. Hass noted the Volga German immigrants who settled in Ellis County from Russia approximately 150 years ago kept their town names the same.

“We wouldn’t be here without them,” declared Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller IV, who is of Volga German descent.

Oktoberfest is a shared celebration with Fort Hays State University’s homecoming.

FHSU student Leon Dammert is from southwest Germany, near Frankfort. He talked about how friendly Hays is and “something you should be proud of.”

“It’s the same for FHSU. They really welcome the international students,” Dammer said. “Oktoberfest for me is a fest for family and friends to have fun.”

Werth presented $500 scholarships from the Volga German Society to students Kreighton Meyers, NCK Tech and Alexandra Herman, FHSU.

For the first time, Oktoberfest has been expanded to a two-day celebration. The grounds will close at 7 p.m. tonight.

Saturday morning will feature a German Market during the Downtown Hays Market in the Union Pacific Pavilion 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Following the FHSU Homecoming Parade, the fun gets underway again in Municipal Park with family-friendly games, more polka music, and of course, homemade German food. Oktoberfest will end at 4 p.m.

This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Schoenchen resident John F. Werth, who perished in a cropdusting airplane crash in August. Werth was a leading member of the local Volga-German Society.