The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
November 2007

Vernal Hosts Oktoberfest

St. Paul's, Vernal, held its annual Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 15. The event was hampered, initially, when a microburst wind tore through Vernal on Friday evening, just after parishioners had finished decorating the tents which cover most of the back churchyard. Both 20' x 40' tents were blown over the church's fence and ended up in the parking lot of the neighboring Days Inn!

In spite of a microburst, which tossed one of the tents onto a horse trailer in a nearby parking lot, Vernal's Oktoberfest was a rip-roaring success.
— Photo by Elizabeth Goode

One tent was destroyed, but a crew managed to retrieve enough parts to put up one tent. Starting all over at dawn on Saturday, a "crew" managed to transform the yard into a German "beer garden," with flags, posters, lights, evergreen garlands and balloons!

About 300 people from throughout the Uintah Basin came to share the evening of traditional Oktoberfest foods (including various sausages, German potato salad, and sauerkraut). Entertainment was provided by area musicians.

St. Paul's youngsters assisted the guests and helped bus the tables, while the adults prepared and served the food.

Proceeds from the meal and raffle table are designated to a different outreach ministry each year. Even with the loss of one tent which will have to be replaced, this year's Oktoberfest generated more money than ever before.

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