2011 Octoberfest Celebration Brought Old-World Germany to the Jersey Shore

SEA ISLE CITY – The sounds of um-pah music filled the autumn air on Oct. 22, during Sea Isle City’s 2011 Octoberfest celebration, an event hosted by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce / Revitalization. Highlighted by a wide-variety of family-friendly activities in and around Excursion Park, this year’s event was the largest to date, according to organizers.
As the Philadelphia German Brass Band performed throughout the day, families enjoyed free hayrides on the beach, a vendors market, great food and numerous displays from local civic groups. There were also many activities planned just for children, including a inflatable bounce-house and obstacle course, face painting, story-telling, balloon twisting, pumpkin painting and rock-wall climbing.
The annual Octoberfest Pie Baking Contest took place inside nearby Bracca Cafe, where 24 amateur bakers submitted a tempting variety of mouth-watering confections, ranging from classic pumpkin and apple pies to double-chocolate and roasted pignoli pies. After a panel of judges sampled each of the pies, Cheryl Kehner, organizer of the contest, presented a first place trophy to Tina Arcidiacono, of Ocean View, who baked a double-layer pumpkin pie. Toni Charlesworth, of Cape May Court House, won second prize with her caramel apple crumb pie, and Anne Hall, of Sea Isle City, won third prize for her unique apple-sausage pie.
“It was a super day,” said Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce / Revitalization President Chris Glancey. “The weather was very nice, the turnout was better than we hoped, and everyone seemed to enjoy the free activities, such as the magic shows, the hayrides and the live German music. This year, our Octoberfest was bigger than ever, and we hope to make it even bigger in 2012. Things keep getting better and better in Sea Isle City!”
For additional information about the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce / Revitalization, phone (609) 263-9090.