Oktoberfest Coming to Saline

Oktoberfest is coming and it’s time to get your hamerschlagen going.

The Saline City Council approved the request by Main Street Saline to host the . The request allows organizers to put on the event without having to pay fees for city assistance.

The event will run Friday, Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29. The events will be on North and South Ann Arbor streets between McKay and Henry streets and in parking lots 1 and 4.

Council members were totally supportive of the event and what it brings to the community.

“This is one of those things that make Saline the city that it is,” David Rhoads said. “It brings people to us and is part of our heritage and culture.”

Rhoads also appreciated the efforts of the organizers and DPW Director Jeff Fordice for adding recycling containers to the event. Rhoads chairs the city’s Environmental Committee and is pushing to expand recycling opportunities in the community.

He requested that future applications for community events add language for recycling containers form “so it won’t be forgotten in the future.”

Council member Linda Ter Haar also expressed support for the festival.

“Having been involved in the Oktoberfest for a number of years now, it’s been really wonderful to see the events develop,” she said. “With a lot more features and attractions over the years. That moving it into the Main Street Grille you will step up a notch.”

The festival features many events and exhibits including music, arts, a Bier Garden, children’s games, vendors and food.

But what is hamerschlagen?

“You have to pay $10 to find out,” Main Street representative Cindy Czbuko answered Mayor Gretchen Driskell.

According to event organizers, hamerschlagen is an old German word meaning hammer and pound. The goal is to use a v-shaped hammer and try to hit a nail into a piece of wood with the pointed head of the hammer.

There will be tournament where people will square off against an opponent. Whoever makes the least amount of hits to get the nail into the wood is the winner, Czbuko said.

Council also approved a request to fly German flags from Sept. 21-30 to promote Oktoberfest.