THE Bavarian brass band strikes a chord and a marquee full of people link arms while swaying and cheering to the oompha-pa sound of German music.

It’s the silly season of draft beer, eisbein, sauerkraut, sausage and pretzels as the Oktoberfest celebrates its 40th anniversary in Nelson Mandela Bay from Thursday to Sunday next week – and joins the world-wide celebration of all that is German, ale-orientated and wunderbar.

Locals could expect a festival of “first times”, said German Club media liaison officer Derek Henman. There will be a new marquee for festivities, a special limited edition Black Label draught beer, a big screen for Currie Cup final viewing next Saturday afternoon and, in addition to the normal Oktoberfest programme, a VIP and corporate dinner on Thursday.

The event will take place at the German Club in Lorraine and will also feature the popular Harthauser Musi band from Germany, which is set to entertain with traditional oompah music, dance and sing-alongs.

Women will don their dirndls and men step out in their lederhosen in celebration of German cultural heritage.

The Port Elizabeth Oktoberfest is the second biggest in the country, after Johannesburg, and the organisers are expecting 10000 visitors, topping their record of 8000 last year. “The public can enjoy a real Oktoberfest experience,” said Henman.

The roots of the Bavarian beer festival go deep in history to the 1810 marriage of King Louis I of Bavaria and Theresa of Saxony.

Today the Munich Oktoberfest is the largest fair in the world, with about six million international visitors attending each year.

Around the world, the German diaspora and beer lovers alike have kept the tradition alive with ale festivals from Rio to Tokyo. In the Bay, German, Austrian and South African food stalls will be open to serve traditional favourites, including bratwurst, ludwigsburgers, leberkaese and bockwurst.

“This year the annual event coincides with the 60th anniversary celebration year of the Deutscher Klub (German Club) founding in Port Elizabeth,” added Henman.

Bookings are still open for Thursday night’s VIP and corporate evening package, which includes a meal.