Amanas celebrate Octoberfest

Several Iowa communities are holding German Oktoberfest events this weekend, but perhaps none are as authentic as the celebration of fall underway in the Amanas. Kristie Wetjen, executive director of the Amana Colonies Convention and Visitors Bureau, says they’ll literally be rolling out the beer barrel this (Saturday) morning to open the festivities.The official keg starts out at the brewery and is blessed by the burgermeister. It’ll travel up the street on a horse-drawn wagon to the century-old “Festhalle” barn, where the music and food are located and then there’s a ceremony to tap the keg. That special Oktoberfest brew was created at the Millstream Brewing Company in Amana, billed as Iowa’s oldest microbrewery. Wetjen says another focalpoint of the weekend event is the German food — from sausage to sour kraut.Wetjen says other events range from a parade to polka-dancing lessons. Events run through Sunday.