DUANE SHERRILLEditor

Oktoberfest packed the campus of the South Jackson Performing Arts Center Saturday with food, fun, games and the sounds of polka.

The seventh annual event went from noon until after dark, concluding with the stein hoisting contest. Earlier in the day, contests were aplenty as the kids got into the action with a donut eating contest that challenged their balance, eating ability and focus not to let the donut fall. After the donuts were put away, the dog costume contest was held with a wide variety of breeds vying for the prize. The costume contest was held in the afternoon as was the brat eating contest.

Along with fun contests, there were plenty of games for children to play while their parents shopped at the many vendor tents that lined the campus. There were also several food trucks on hand to choose from and beer was plentiful at the on-site bar as the live German polka band put folks in the Oktoberfest mood.