Oktoberfest brought people to downtown Junction City. Organizers estimated about 4,000 people were there Friday night enjoying the music, German food and beer. Turnout was a little lighter during the day Saturday but there were still plenty of folks having a good time.
Justin Hoover helped develop the idea for this first annual event. "I am really very pleased. Friday night was pretty huge." Hoover added that people had a great time. There were a few long lines but the committee working on the event will improve that next year. "I'm just really happy that our community supported it so well."
There were numerous activities for those who attended.
Hoover noted that Oktoberfest will also be held on Saturday night next year, but that couldn't be done this year due to a conflict with another previously scheduled event. He thought Oktoberfest would probably expand to become a three-day Friday, Saturday, Sunday event in 2022 but the final decision has not yet been made. "We're going to do a kind of post-analysis on this and go through everything, identify what worked real well and what needs work. Then we'll make a decision."
Hoover expressed his thanks to the community for supporting the event. "I think Junction City needs events like this. I'm again, very happy about our folks around here."
Junction City Main Street supported and worked to assist with Oktoberfest. Terri Butler, with the Main Street group, noted that the event went above beyond what they had even imagined. "For the first time that we've done this downtown it has been well received. Incredible bands, incredible food, incredible crowds." Butler also noted that there were "lots and lots of volunteers."