Photos: Oktoberfest kicks off in Amana

The annual festival began Friday with a parade, music and tapping of the keg

Oct. 4, 2024 5:41 pm

Nathan Kleinmeyer of Amana raises a beer stein during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Cheryl Cibula (left) plays accordion with Stuart Walker on guitar as festival goers parade during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. The pair make up the Polkameisters. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Sophie Walker (center, left) of Solon and Brandon Gloeckner (center, right) of Cedar Rapids walk with fellow revelers during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Jackie Krauss (left) and Caylene Bernacki, both of Amana, holler as they pose for a photo during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Derek Meyer (right, blue shirt) of Lawrence, Kan., raises a beer stein as he walks the parade route with his girlfriend Melissa Journot of Robins during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Mason Eckley of Marion shows off pins and other decorations on his alpine hat during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. Eckley has been attending the annual celebration for more than 20 years. The pins and decorations have been obtained through pin exchanges with fellow revelers and purchasing them. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Rebecca Hollrah of Amana poses for a photo during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Austin Moore-Praska of North Liberty raises his beer stein as he parades through the streets of Amana during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

The Amana Colonies Oktoberfest Bürgermeister, Pat Kellenberger rides on a float with the ceremonial keg during Oktoberfest in Amana on Friday. The annual festival celebrating autumn continues through Sunday. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)