Beer, brats and the sounds of German music filled downtown Cullman as thousands packed the Festhalle, Depot Park and Arnold Street to enjoy all things German at the 34th annual Cullman Oktoberfest.

Saturday brought out the young, old and even the canine as the festival drew an above-average number of attendees on an almost perfect fall day, save for overcast skies. Although activities will continue today beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday served as an exclamation point on the five-day festival.

“The crowds have been bigger, and that’s what we wanted with the shortened schedule,” said Elaine Fuller, Oktoberfest board member. “The Busy Bee has nearly sold out of schnitzel. They’ve sold over 200 pounds. The craft beer people are afraid they’re running out of beer. We had 1,000 people out here Friday night even with the rain. I’m just glad it rained Friday and not today.”

Lee Edwards of Cullman has been attending Oktoberfest since 1998 and has witnessed its “rebirth” as an event.

“It’s been a really good turnout today,” he said outside the Festhalle, where several attendees lined up for a cup of craft beer. “I think Alabama not playing until 6 p.m. and Auburn not playing today is a big factor in so many people coming out.”

Those who didn’t want to miss a minute of college football stopped in the biergarten tent to watch games on one of several big-screen TVs, with the sounds of festival mainstay Terry Cavanaugh drifting over from the Festhalle.

Whether traditional German fare of beer and brats or Southern dishes like barbecue, there wasn’t a chance of anyone going home hungry. Kids dined on snowcones and other sugary treats.

At the Lowe’s kids tent, Andrew Nyugen, 5, built a wooden race car with the help of Brian Roberts. Jada Ray, 7, of Hanceville was all smiles while she jumped on a bungee-cord trampoline as her father watched nearby.

Children could play cornhole, checkers and keg bowling or hop around and slide on several bounce houses. Others scrambled around in water balls while others reached new heights on bungee-cord trampolines.

Matt Calvert won the bratwurst-eating contest after beating last year’s winner, Peter Cullen, in a tiebreaker and claimed the $100 prize.

“I think that last one went down in two bites,” exclaimed Larry Rowlette as Col. Johann Cullmann.

Cullman resident Andy Brown and his friend Laney Hughes from Mobile came out to the festival Saturday. Hughes brought along her 10-year-old dachshund Jabbo, who strutted around with his blue ribbon for Oldest Dog.

“We’ve had a lot of fun, and all the dogs that came out were so cute,” Hughes said.

The Cullman Kiwanis Club K-9s-4-A Kause events at Depot Park included the crowd-favorite wiener dog races as well as agility demonstrations and contests for best costumes, trick and even celebrity look-a-like.

Dozens lined the street in front of the old railroad depot for the Lions Club bed races. Five-person teams raced one another on decorated beds, with four pushing and one riding on the bed. Riders had to play a game of cornhole, change pajamas with another team member and then turn around and race back to the finish line.

For Miss Oktoberfest Tess Hembree, the week has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“It’s been awesome because I’m the only person in my grade that gets to do this,” she said. “I’ve met so many people, danced with so many kids. I’ve had so much fun.”

Like many a Miss Oktoberfest before her, staying on her feet all day since Wednesday was beginning to take its toll. But as a multi-sport high school athlete, she’s no stranger to aches and pains and was prepared.

“I was getting shin splits so I wore my Nikes Friday night,” she said with a smile.

On Sunday, Roy Crawford and Cullman County Bluegrass will perform at 1 p.m., followed by Three on a String at 2 p.m. and Heaton Brothers Band at 4 p.m. Children’s activities and arts and crafts vendors will be on hand at Depot Park all day.

Praise Bands 9 a.m.-12pm

Kids activities, all day

Arts/crafts, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Roy Crawford, 2 p.m.

Three on a String, 3 p.m.

Heaton Brothers, 4:30 p.m.