St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jim Thorpe held its 10th annual Oktoberfest at Flagstaff Park which overlooks the town of Jim Thorpe with one of the most magnificent panoramic views anywhere.

This setting was even more spectacular than usual thanks to the vibrant Fall colors now adorning the mountain scenery.The festival was held in the Flagstaff's "Ballroom in the Clouds" where the likes of the Dorsey Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman once performed.The hundreds of festival goers who visited the event enjoyed a day of food and fun all to a background of Oktoberfest music played by The Rhinelanders, an authentic German band from Hamburg.The homemade ethnic foods enjoyed by the festival goers included halupki, haluski, kielbasa and sauerkraut, pork and sauerkraut, hot dogs, pierogies, bleenies, soft pretzels, pickled eggs, apple turnovers, soup and, of course, German potato salad.In addition to all of the ethnic food, Oktoberfest also featured festive beer and beverages along with a Chinese auction, bake sale, and a raffle.Everything combined, along with the Alpine-like location, contributed to the Oktoberfest atmosphere for the parish that was "Founded by German Immigrants in 1871".Admission and parking at the event was free and a free shuttle bus service was run from the East Side of Jim Thorpe to Flagstaff Ballroom and back.