The beer & good times flowed at Panama City Oktoberfest

PANAMA CITY, Fla. ( WMBB ) — Destination Panama City brought a taste of Germany to downtown this weekend.

They celebrated the city’s 36th annual Oktoberfest and welcomed the fall season.

“The community always comes out in force for this event. We just got started at 3 p.m., and the streets are already getting packed. People are dancing to the polka music. It’s just a great fall event for the City of Panama City,” Destination Panama City President & CEO Jennifer Vigil said.

A number of attendees dressed in traditional lederhosen attire, and almost everyone had a beer in hand.

“I think our citizens really appreciate engaging in the different cultures and having the bratwurst and listening to the polka music. It’s just a really upbeat family-friendly event,” Vigil said.

Some locals say they came for the brews and to enjoy authentic German cuisine.

“My favorite part is always going to be the music, the food, and the beer,” Vigil said.

Others joined in on the festivities to spend time with family and friends.

“It’s always fun, especially with this large group in this environment. Everybody’s out here having fun, smiles on everybody’s faces, especially with the storm coming through and everything. Everybody’s still trying to keep their spirits up,” Panama City resident Kevin Nunally said.

But everyone came to have a good time.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends and going home to the air conditioning,” Panama City resident Corbin Nunnally said.

Oktoberfest was originally celebrated in October in Bavaria, a state in the southeast of Germany. The celebration was moved up to September due to better weather in Bavaria during this time of year.

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