It’s that time of year again, the leaves are turning their bright orange and reds and will fall ever so gently to the ground. But before that happens, on this very weekend in October, the small town of Walhalla, SC will have thousands of people attending their annual Oktoberfest. It’s a three day event celebrating the town’s German heritage. This weekend Walhalla will swell with the aroma of German foods, the laughter of children on the kiddie rides, and people selling eye catching arts and crafts. The “Little German Band” plays under the beer tent and many people will be introduced to the “Chicken Dance” for the first time. It’s a lot of fun for everyone, and in many cases the proceeds are donated to local charities.
It’s always fun to see people trying to learn the chicken dance. I have to admit I’ve never actually given it a try, but I do intend to at some point. Being a good Southern Baptist and having lived in this small town for 30 years, I have always been a by-stander; I’ve watched but never participated in any of the beer tent festivities. It reminds me of a joke I heard, “what’s the difference between a Catholic and a Baptist?” The answer is, “A Catholic will speak to you in the liquor store.” Meaning, of course, as a Baptist you may partake in a drink or two but you’re not suppose to broadcast that you do, and you’re surely not supposed to drink out in public. Every good Baptist knows you do your drinking out of town. (I’m just kidding don’t write me letters.) As it is, most of the revelers under the beer tent enjoying themselves, are out-of-towners.
It’s the one time of year this community is host to families stopping to spend their money, then driving through town to get to the beautiful mountains so they can admire the leaves and waterfalls and maybe play a round or two of golf. Saturday night will end with a fireworks display that can be seen and heard for miles. Young and old alike crane their necks to see colorful blossoms explode in the air as they ooh and ahh long enough to forget about the economy or any of their other troubles and just focus on being the best chicken dancer they can be. Who knows maybe I will learn the chicken dance this year.
It’s always fun to see people trying to learn the chicken dance. I have to admit I’ve never actually given it a try, but I do intend to at some point. Being a good Southern Baptist and having lived in this small town for 30 years, I have always been a by-stander; I’ve watched but never participated in any of the beer tent festivities. It reminds me of a joke I heard, “what’s the difference between a Catholic and a Baptist?” The answer is, “A Catholic will speak to you in the liquor store.” Meaning, of course, as a Baptist you may partake in a drink or two but you’re not suppose to broadcast that you do, and you’re surely not supposed to drink out in public. Every good Baptist knows you do your drinking out of town. (I’m just kidding don’t write me letters.) As it is, most of the revelers under the beer tent enjoying themselves, are out-of-towners.
It’s the one time of year this community is host to families stopping to spend their money, then driving through town to get to the beautiful mountains so they can admire the leaves and waterfalls and maybe play a round or two of golf. Saturday night will end with a fireworks display that can be seen and heard for miles. Young and old alike crane their necks to see colorful blossoms explode in the air as they ooh and ahh long enough to forget about the economy or any of their other troubles and just focus on being the best chicken dancer they can be. Who knows maybe I will learn the chicken dance this year.
Just Saying !
oer
oer
