Oktoberfest at Gene's: a rockin' good time

In Charleston, we have to go by signs other than the weather cooling off to know when autumn has arrived.

Gene's 9th Annual Oktoberfest, taking place this weekend, is one of the fall traditions in the Lowcountry that helps soothe the pain of summer ending. Plan on welcoming the season with plenty of German pints and brats, authentic German music and several of your local favorite bands. This year, the party lasts all weekend, so everyone has time to show up.

Both Saturday's and Sunday's festivities will start at noon in the parking lot of Gene's. Food will include bratwursts and knockwursts (German sausages) on the grill, along with hot dogs and potato salad made in-house. Southern Baking Co., a local business, will provide pumpernickel bread. Of course, Gene's regular menu also will be available inside.

As for tasty German beers to enjoy while you dance in the parking lot, $4 pints of Spaten, Oktoberfest, Warsteiner and Hefe-Weisse will be for sale. Happy Hour will include the usual specials once the party moves indoors.

"I love the scent of the bratwursts cooking in the air," says David Harvey, manager of Gene's. "I think that's my favorite thing -- the smell of food outside on the grill. It's also great seeing everyone having fun, dancing to the music."

The musical lineup is different for both days. On Saturday, the Dixie Ramblers will start things off outside, followed by the Thrusters. Saturday night, move inside the bar after 6:30 p.m. and enjoy Lindsay Holler. On Sunday afternoon, the Blue Plantation Band will play outside, and The Secrets will jam during the evening.

Both days also include German music provided by the local Hans Schmidts Band. The six-piece ensemble has played at Oktoberfest before and gets the crowd dancing. They'll be playing 3-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-3:30 p.m. Sunday.

"We try to have a lot of people involved in our performance," says the band's frontman, Rick Karam. "We keep the songs entertaining for everyone -- we do sing-a-longs, have people play the horns, do waltzes and polkas. We also wear German hats with feathers!"

On Sunday afternoon, Oktoberfest concludes with the most important events: the sausage eating contest, beer wench contest and crowning of the King and Queen of Oktoberfest. "We encourage people to come dressed up for these events if they want to," says Harvey. "We are giving away a $50 gift certificate for the most authentic outfit on Sunday afternoon."

The beer wench contest involves downing three pints of beer faster than the other ladies, while the sausage-eating contest involves -- you guessed it -- scarfing down the most sausage. The winners (male and female) then will be crowned the King and Queen. Each winner also will receive a $75 gift certificate from Gene's.

Admission to the weekend-long party is $7, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Charleston Animal Society. The admission gets you in for both days.

"The best thing about Oktoberfest is obvious," laughs Karam. "The people, the fun and the beer! We always have a good time."

If you go

What: 9th Annual Oktoberfest.

Where: Gene's Haufbrau, 817 Savannah Highway.

When: Starting at noon Saturday and Sunday.

How much: $7. A portion will be donated to the Charleston Animal Society.

More info: david@geneshaufbrau.com or 225-4363.