Oktoberfest blends German tradition and local flavor

From doctors and astronomers to students from New Mexico Tech, a diverse crowd gathered on Oct. 3 to celebrate Oktoberfest downtown, where German heritage came together in a lively community event.

Hosted by the Socorro Historical Society, the festival featured traditional German music, bratwurst, and beer, with a few unexpected twists. Belly dancers took the stage to the delight of attendees, prompting a humorous remark from Historical Society Secretary Paul Harden.

“I think I have said before we are the only Oktoberfest that features belly dancers west of the Rio Grande,” Harden said to cheers and laughter. “Then I think last year I said the Mississippi. This year we are going for Baltimore.”

The Socorro Garden Club added a splash of color to the festivities, offering a selection of houseplants, outdoor plants and fresh flower bouquets for sale.

One of the highlights for beer enthusiasts was the Capitol Bar’s offering of a pre-Prohibition Bavarian lager, a nod to the historic Hammel Brewery that once made Socorro a regional brewing hub. The vintage-style beer gave attendees a literal taste of history.

Visitors from out of town also joined the celebration, drawn by the unique blend of culture and community.

Lisa Papesh-Evans, who just moved here from Indiana in June, showed up in full costume with her boyfriend Jason Burnfield, an electrical engineer also from Indiana. The couple made sure to try the beer, brats and danced to a waltz.

“I have been to one in Oldenburg, Indiana last year. It’s a small German community. I’ll tell you what I liked best about this one. The full meal deal for 10 bucks, can’t beat it,” Papesh-Evans said, “The entertainment was great too. Loved the community band playing German standards.”

The event underscored Socorro’s knack for mixing tradition with local charm, making this Oktoberfest a standout celebration in New Mexico, and perhaps, as Harden said, all the way to Baltimore.