Lynbrook’s annual Oktoberfest was held at Greis Park on Saturday, Oct. 2. From its starting time at 3 p.m. until well-past sundown, the park was packed with people of all ages. While last year’s Oktoberfest was cancelled due to COVID-19, thousands attended this year’s festival. The fee to enter was $10 for adults and $5 for children. Proceeds went to the Lynbrook community, and will allow for the operation of many future community events.

Oktoberfest’s main attractions were food and drink vendors, live music, a pie-eating contest, and a stein-holding contest. There were also many activities for children, including arts and crafts, a balloon artist, a magician, a bounce house, and a Ferris wheel. Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) volunteered at each of the children’s events, including the bean bag toss, barrel roll, and bounce house. 

Junior Emilia Perri volunteered at the Barrel Roll. She said that she enjoyed “watching the families have so much fun and kids enjoying themselves while playing on the carnival games.” The Johnny Sinatra Band played live music, as it has in previous years. Oktoberfest was sponsored by a plethora of local businesses such as The Kitchen Loft, Miller’s Housewares and Hardware, Minuteman Press, and Anker Electric. The LHS National Art Honor Society (NAHS) had a great turnout for the event; volunteers painted faces and partook in many games with the children. 

Junior and NAHS member Aleeza Khurram said she had a great time while volunteering at the arts and crafts table. “It was so fun to volunteer in an event that I would attend as a child,” Khurram said. “I loved helping other kids experience Oktoberfest like I did. It was also great to see the community together since the start of COVID,” she added. 

SGA advisor Mary Kirby organized the SGA’s involvement at the festival. SGA volunteers will be back at Greis Park soon for upcoming Halloween events. “The students who volunteered had a wonderful time and look forward to working with the Lynbrook Recreation Center very soon as Halloween and the holiday season approach,” Kirby said. “The entire Lynbrook Community seemed to turn out to this event, as it was packed with members and their children. All were having fun,” Kirby added.

Oktoberfest was deemed a success by many Lynbrook community members. The SGA and other students of LHS look forward to organizing many more events this upcoming season.