German food, music and beer are all part of the Oktoberfest that began about 4:30 p.m. Friday in downtown Junction City. Organizers hope to attract 1,000 to 2,000 people each of the two days of the celebration.

Melanie Davis celebrated her 50th birthday by blessing the beer when the first tap was opened to begin the celebration. "So this is a super great blessing on my 50th birthday to give some German Oktoberfest beer. There's nothing better than that. "

The celebration continues on Saturday with activities ranging from a 5K and 13K Volksmarch from 8:30 a.m. until noon to a performance by&nbsp; the 1st Infantry Division Band from noon until 2:30 p.m. There will be numerous German food items, games and children's activities as well. Polka was on the schedule Friday evening.

Oktoberfest Coordinator Justin Hoover noted that there would be contests ranging from stein carrying and stein holding to yodeling and a best dressed contest.

The event, which is supported by Junction City Main Street, is expected to be held on annual basis.

German food, music and beer are all part of the Oktoberfest that began about 4:30 p.m. Friday in downtown Junction City. Organizers hope to attract 1,000 to 2,000 people each of the two days of the celebration.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633736458905.jpeg" alt="Melanie Davis was the first to taste the German beer for Oktoberfest." />
 <figcaption>Melanie Davis was the first to taste the German beer for Oktoberfest.</figcaption>
 </figure>Melanie Davis celebrated her 50th birthday by blessing the beer when the first tap was opened to begin the celebration. "So this is a super great blessing on my 50th birthday to give some German Oktoberfest beer. There's nothing better than that. "<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633736621331.jpeg" alt="( L-R ) Phyllis Fitzgerald, Theresa Bramlage and Patti Macroft are among the community members helping with Oktoberfest.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>( L-R ) Phyllis Fitzgerald, Theresa Bramlage and Patti Macroft are among the community members helping with Oktoberfest.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The celebration continues on Saturday with activities ranging from a 5K and 13K Volksmarch from 8:30 a.m. until noon to a performance by&nbsp; the 1st Infantry Division Band from noon until 2:30 p.m. There will be numerous German food items, games and children's activities as well. Polka was on the schedule Friday evening.Oktoberfest Coordinator Justin Hoover noted that there would be contests ranging from stein carrying and stein holding to yodeling and a best dressed contest.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633738490374.jpeg" alt="Concession tent" />
 <figcaption>Concession tent</figcaption>
 </figure>The event, which is supported by Junction City Main Street, is expected to be held on annual basis.

Oktoberfest kicks off downtown