Oktoberfest brings in crowds

Wilson Bank and Trust's annual Oktoberfest celebrated 25 years this weekend, and the event was declared a success.

WB&T Assistant Marketing Director Brian Bennett was part of the team of bank employees who made this year's Oktoberfest happen.

"It went very well; we had very big crowds both afternoons," he said.

As usual, the Antique Car Show became the highlight. Organizers were expecting around 400 cars in the show, but their expectations were exceeded.  

"We had about 500 cars in the car show; that's a record," Bennett said, explaining that organizers don't take an official attendance count but judge the number of attendees by the number of antique cars entered in the show.

WB&T was able to donate proceeds from the event to the Wilson County Veterans Service Office. The WCVSO Director Bernie Ash was thrilled with the bank's generosity, which puts his office that much closer to the goal of funding the planned Veterans Memorial Park and Museum.

"We got $25,000 from Wilson Bank and Trust," Ash said. "It's going to help us quite a bit. We need $100,000 to get the plans drawn up so that puts us at about $50,000.

He said the WCVSO is hoping for more financial donations and "in-kind donations" of building materials. If you would like to donate to the cause, call Ash at 444-2460.

Oktoberfest 2012 also featured a cornbread cook-off and tasting, a fine arts contest, a photography contest for youth and adults, punt, pass and kick contest, quilt show, tractor show and youth talent show.

Food, live music and several local vendors were available and made the event fun for all.
   
The event was once again WB&T’s Main Office on West Main Street. The entire bank campus and surrounding grounds were made ready for Oktoberfest weekend, with nearly every foot of the campus used for inflatables, craft booths, tents, demonstrators and displays.

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.