The flip of the calendar toward October means the start of fall proper for the Cullman area, and a pair of annual traditions on tap next week marks the unofficial end of summer now that the kids are back in school and college football is back on the television.

Oktoberfest officially arrives in Cullman on Oct. 2, although plenty of local schools, businesses, and churches will be getting in on the action early with a full lineup of special tours, menu items, and themed sales kicking off on Sept. 30 — the start of Oktoberfest week. Things begin in earnest at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, with the tapping of the Oktoberfest keg and the official opening ceremonies at the Cullman Festhalle.

The event runs through four days, ending on Oct. 5 with a day-long Saturday party in Cullman’s Warehouse District capped by American Idol winner Taylor Hicks performing an unplugged acoustic set at the Festhalle.

There’s no admission to enter the entertainment district in downtown Cullman where the epicenter of Oktoberfest is located; the only money you’ll spend will be for the food, activities, and shopping that you might do while you’re there. And don’t forget — Oktoberfest isn’t limited to the confines of the city’s downtown, with businesses all over the city getting in on the act.

Because one week-long party isn’t enough, Oktoberfest also will overlap with the Cullman County Fair, which kicks off on Oct. 3 and extends through two weekends, wrapping up at the Cullman County Fairgrounds on Oct. 12. Today’s Fair Parade (2:00 p.m.) gets things started, beginning at the Cullman County Courthouse on U.S. Highway 31 and ending at the Arnold Street intersection.

For a full listing of all that’s on tap for the fair, visit cullmanfair.org.