Burgermeister John Dean, left, shares a drink with Oktoberfest’s Col. Johann G. Cullmann, Larry Rowlette as the event officially opened in downtown Cullman Wednesday evening.

Cullman’s Oktoberfest officially kicked off Wednesday, with the tapping of the ceremonial kegs and naming of this year’s burgermeister and Miss Oktoberfest. 

Last year’s burgermeister, John Richter, passed the mantle to John Dean, the co-founder of Cullman’s Goat Island Brewing, which supplies the official beer of Oktoberfest, Richter’s Pils. 

In a special honor, Cullman County Museum Director Elaine Fuller was named Honorary Lifetime Burgermeister. Fuller was a key member in organizing the modern-day Oktoberfest in Cullman. 

“It’s been a long journey,” she said. “It’s a been a fun journey at times, and not so fun at times.” 

Fuller encouraged the community to enjoy the festivities over the rest of the week, and announced that this would be her last festival as a member of the Oktoberfest board. 

“I appreciate this very much,” she said. “I hope you’ll come and enjoy all the festivities right straight through to Sunday.” 

Miss Oktoberfest was also chosen on Wednesday night, with Good Hope High School’s Ally Knight being the lucky pageant winner who bit into a cupcake filled with chocolate pudding. As Miss Oktoberfest, Knight will participate in the festival’s activities for the rest of the week. 

Admission is free to the weeklong festivities, with children’s activities and games, German music and food and a beirgarten fully stocked with a wide variety of different brands and styles.

Today’s schedule

• 5-10 p.m. — Carriage rides at Festhalle

• 5-7 p.m. — Sacred Heart German Dinner at the church

• 5-10 p.m. — Alabama Craft Bier Garten

• 6-7 p.m. — Opening Ceremonies; Burgermeister introduction; Miss Oktoberfest crowning; tapping of the kegs; Hanceville High School German Band.

• 6-10 p.m. — Children’s activities, parking lot

• 7 p.m. — Paper Airplane Contest

• 7-10 p.m. — Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express, German music

• 8:30 p.m. — Stein Hoist Contest