CULLMAN, Ala. – Day two of Cullman Oktoberfest belonged to the community’s seniors, as Senior Day filled the Community Biergarten at Depot Park with music, dancing, games and the crowning of the 2026 Miss Senior Oktoberfest on Friday, Oct. 2.
Senior Day ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seniors gathered at long tables beneath the covered biergarten, many dressed in lederhosen, dirndls and Oktoberfest hats, while Good Bellows kept the music going throughout the morning. Tables from the Cullman County Commission on Aging and the Active Adult Center were set up near the stage, along with a prize drum for drawings.
Cullman County Commission on Aging Director Stephanie Lawson said they handed out all 500 tickets and had a great time with their German-inspired games and activities.
The morning offered plenty of entertainment. Volunteers, including a uniformed law enforcement officer, were invited on stage to try their hand at the alphorn, the long wooden horn traditionally played in the Alps, and a group of women in dirndls danced for the crowd. Across the grounds, a white Volkswagen Beetle decked out with flowers, Bavarian checks, a German flag and the Cullman Oktoberfest logo drew visitors snapping photos.
“We’ve had such a great time with our seniors and for the first time, we didn’t offer bingo,” Lawson said. “Instead, we did several competitions, German games and did a ton of giveaways. We had a free lunch for the seniors provided by Walmart Transportation, Good Bellows band are our live entertainment, and Premier Bank was our main sponsor.”
Lawson said this year, they made history with the first Miss Senior Oktoberfest.
Miss Senior Oktoberfest
The highlight of the morning came shortly after noon, when contestants for Miss Senior Oktoberfest lined up in front of the stage, each wearing a dirndl and a crown of fresh flowers. One contestant decorated her walker with pink streamers to match the occasion.
Contestants were greeted on stage and presented with treats before the winner was announced. The new Miss Senior Oktoberfest was presented a blue “Miss Senior Oktoberfest 2026” sash, flowers and a certificate as the crowd and her fellow contestants cheered her on.
“Our very first Miss Senior Oktoberfest was Beverly Turner from West Point,” Lawson said. “Elizabeth Smith, who was crowned Miss Oktoberfest last night, was here to help crown our Miss Senior Oktoberfest.”
More Oktoberfest ahead
Friday’s festivities continued until 11 p.m., with a yodeling contest, an alphorn demonstration and competition, polka lessons from Ballet South, a brat-eating contest, stein hoisting and a late-evening headlining performance by Manuela Horn.
Oktoberfest runs through Sunday, Oct. 4, at Depot Park, 309 First Ave. NE. Hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
For the full schedule of events, visit www.cullmanoktoberfestival.com or download the official Cullman Oktoberfest app.
