The Effingham Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers for its annual Oktoberfest celebration, which will be held Sept. 27-28 at Rincon’s Freedom Park.

Effingham County native Hannah Dasher will headline the entertainment Sept. 28, with the Battle of the Bands the night before determining who will be her opening act.

“Planning for the fourth annual Effingham Oktoberfest is under way,” said Chamber President Dinah King, ”and it is going to be the biggest and best Oktoberfest yet. We’re going to need volunteers to help us make this work again this year.”

This will be the first year Oktoberfest will be held at Rincon’s 20-acre Freedom Park, adjacent to Lowe’s and Fuller Chevrolet.

“It’s nice to have so much room to grow this event, and still be in sight of Highway 21,” said Chamber Director Rick Lott. “We are already planning on bringing in new activities for the community to enjoy. One great advantage of this new home is that all our parking will be right here onsite – no more need for running shuttles or worrying if there is enough space for parking.”

Lott said the festival will feature two large tents covering the stage and seating, as well as beer trailers and tented seating there. The oompah band, the Channelheimers, will be performing throughout the weekend again.

Music for Friday and Saturday will include slots for local musicians, entries for the Friday evening Battle of the Bands, and this year the stage itself is a permanent one, being built now by the city of Rincon. Winner of the Battle of the Bands will receive $500.

Each band will get 25-30 minutes per set and bands competing are: Bad Justice, ZDiktaterz, Street Legal Acoustics, Johnny Octane and Peaceable Kingdom.

The opening ceremony will be held Sept. 27 at 6 p.m., with the honorary German consul general, Ann Purcell, fellow Salzburgers and Joe Weitzel leading the crowd in a toast. The best whiskers contest will follow, with the winner receiving a cash prize, and the Battle of the Bands will take place from 7-11 p.m.

The Chamber is looking for sponsors to help support and promote the event. Sponsorships are available from $250 and up. Lott said it’s a great way to get a business out in front of nearly 5,000 people over the two days. Presenting sponsor for this festival is Comcast, with Savannah Technical College sponsoring the music stage.

For sponsorship information, contact Lott at 754-3301 or ricklott@effinghamcounty.com. For vendor applications, contact the Chamber or go to www.effinghamcounty.com and download an application off the Events, Oktoberfest page.

Entertainment Schedule

Sept. 27
12 noon - Channelheimers Oompah Band
12 noon-3 p.m. - Kids’ Free Play Time
1 p.m. - Channelheimers Oompah Band  
3 p.m. - Channelheimers Oompah Band
4 p.m. - Ivy Eilerman
5 p.m. - Channelheimers Oompah Band
6 p.m. - Kickoff Ceremony
6:30 p.m. - Best Whiskers Contest
7-11 p.m. - Battle of the Bands
Ballting bands: Bad Justice, Z Diktaterz, Street Legal Acoustics, Johnny Octane, Peaceable Kingdom
        
Sept. 28
9 a.m. - Victoria Hendrix and Justin Moran
10 a.m. - Pet Contest
11 a.m. - Street Legal Band
12 noon - Channelheimers Oompah Band
1 p.m. - Lloyd Braddy Band
2 p.m. - Channelheimers Oompah Band
3 p.m. - Double Run band
4 p.m. - Channelheimers Oompah Band
5 p.m. - Bad Justice Band
6 p.m. - Bad Justice Band
7 p.m. - Channelheimers Oompah Band
8-11p.m. - Hannah Dasher