Sizzling bratwursts, live music, local beer, and cider by a bonfire created an atmosphere no one wanted to leave at the second annual NCS Oktoberfest celebration. This free event was held on October 14, 2022, at Mauzy’s Farm in Winston Salem, NC. Threshing Floor Brewery, owned by Coutney Mauzy (a fellow NCS member), hosted the festival that drew around 100 guests of all ages and backgrounds for an evening of fun and connection.
An Oktoberfest celebration wouldn’t be complete without bratwursts, and Brandon Billings and Kalim Andraos did not disappoint at the grill. Along with the brats, guests could enjoy soft pretzels as well as German potato salad, donated by River Birch Lodge. To go with the delicious food, folks enjoyed a great selection of local beer from Threshing Floor as well as cider. Guests pulled up camp chairs around the fire to enjoy the meal with others in the community.
Live music was also a highlight of this festival. OOPS polka band created the perfect Oktoberfest atmosphere with their traditional polka tunes for the second year in a row.
Both adults and children joined in the fun. Outdoor games added to the family atmosphere, and guests enjoyed playing cornhole, a giant connect four, and Jinga. Some folks even brought their own beer steins and dressed up in traditional German attire.
This festival was a true team effort and took many volunteers to make it happen. The time and donations of NCS members made this time of connection with the community possible. Not everyone who attended was a NCS member. Family members were given a chance to experience and be a part of what NCS does for the community. The festival also allowed people who weren’t familiar with NCS to learn about the group and engage with its members. Ashley Zimmerman (non-NCS member) observed, “I loved the relaxed atmosphere. I felt safe letting my kids run around. The music was fun for all ages. The food and beer was good.”
This free event served to bring the community together for an evening of enjoyment and community. All were welcome to be a part of the festivities, and a wide variety of people came to be a part of the family-friendly fun. Courtney Mauzy commented, “It was a blast and so much fun. I think it was well received from the NCS crowd.”
Stay tuned for dates and details for 2023 Oktoberfest, but in the meantime check out these photos!