The Coplay Saengerbund, 205 S. Fifth St., held its annual Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 13. The day started rainy but changed to sunny in time for the party.

The weather change and large crowd enhanced the fun of dancing to polka songs, listening to Germanic beer-drinking songs, playing Oktoberfest games and singing the popular chant “Ein Prosit.”

Event coordinator Emil Schanta introduced Todd Santoroski, Coplay Saengerbund president and Coplay Borough Council vice president, who thanked the Saengerbund’s heritage committee for the development and coordination of the event. He gave a brief tutorial about the genesis of Oktoberfest and concluded by thanking all attendees who help make this event an annual success.

The day began with the annual colorful parade honoring Germany, Austria, Hungary and Burgenland, with their flags being carried by women dressed in colorful Germanic attire. Schanta led the parade through the outside grove.

After the singing of the German and Austrian national anthems was the robust singing the United States national anthem.

The anthems were follows by revelers present singing “Ein Prosit,” a popular German Oktoberfest song. Its lyrics are sung by the band and attendees with “Ein Prosit” sung several times. After the short song, drinks are raised in the air and revelers say, “oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa!” The meaning is “one, two, three, drink.” Then followed by the words “Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi” which supposedly means “a toast, a toast, a cozy place.”

A Masskrugstemmen challenge game was held where participants must hold a full 1-liter beer mug, which weighs about 5-5.4 pounds, by one arm only with the arm completely extended out and parallel to the floor. The contestant holding the stein for the longest time wins a prize.

Masskrugstemmen is a traditional Bavarian strength contest from centuries-old beer hall culture and is now celebrated as the “unofficial sport of Oktoberfest.”

The Schuhplattler (shoe slapper) dance has its roots in the 11th century in the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps. It is an entertaining, high-energy folk dance that includes men, woman and children. Attendees in Germanic clothing participated in the dance.

The Schuhplattler dance was well received and included audience participation. A leader of the dance talked about the dance’s rich history and urged all present to learn more and strive to keep the centuries-long dance tradition alive for the next and future generations.

The popular Josef Kroboth Band took the stage to play German and Austrian music. The band also played as they marched in the parade that kicked off the event.

After the parade, anthems and games, the revelers settled in to listen to quality music, drink imported German beer, eat authentic German food and enjoy a cultural event with friends.

“Gemutlichkeit” is a German word that describes a deep feeling of warmth, friendliness, coziness and total peace of mind, which was evident at the annual celebration.