Like to Dance? You Must Come to Anhalt!

Here's an idea for a great fall outing. If you're like me and crave adventures that are new, but not dangerous, you won't want to miss this one. Now, to me, an "adventure" is something special. It's a place or an event, preferably both, where you walk in and say, "Wow! This is something different." It stands out from the rows of museums and fancy restaurants and snazzy shopping centers that are all great, as far as they go, but evenso, very familiar. Like dining on a cruise is outstanding, especially the fact that you can order off-the-menu, and can ask for 5 desserts, but it's still "just" another great restaurant. An adventure to me, or an experience? It could be the Henri Quatorze in Paris, it could be the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, it could be the biggest sunset I ever saw in my life on Dauphin Island (I thought I was hallucinating), or it could be dancing the Gerrman Grand March at Anhalt. What's Anhalt? Unlike many outstanding experiences, it's not expensive, it's not elitist, and it's not intimidating. But it's something you've never seen before, and will remember that way. Twice a year, the folks around Anhalt Texas (which is 28 miles west of New Braunfels, sort of between Austin and San Antonio, Texas, open the doors of Hall for dancing - May and October. HISTORY Anhalt was settled by German pioneers in the mid-19th century, who joined together to safety from Indians, calling themsleves (like in the old country), The Germania Farmers Verein (German Farmer's Club). The verein leased land from the biggest landowner, George Krause, and build a meeting hall - and that's where you'll be dancing. OKTOBERFEST 2006 Even the approach to it is great. You'll leave Austin (big town) or San Antonio (very big town) and head out into the country. I mean country. Winding road, even a little tumbleweed. You turn a corner, there are dogs, dust, cars parked in the grass ... you've arrived. The doors will open Sunday, October 16, at noon. As you walk into the hall, which looks like a huge barn, there will be food around, and maybe some stands selling this 'n' that. The Donnie Wavra Polka Band will be playing from 1-5 p.m., and that part of the day will culminate at 5:00 with the Grand March. You have got to see it to believe it, and if you plan to take part in it, you'd better be in good shape. What's that all about? I'll let it be a surprise to you, as it was to me. Somewhere in there, a family style meal will be available - all you can eat pot roast, German potato salad, sauerkraut, peaches. Hamburgers, sausage wrap, beer, soda, wine coolers, also available. After the Grand March, the mood changes to Country and Western, and Geronimo Trevino's Western Band will play from 6-10 p.m. The names of the bands change; the venue has been the same for a very long time. Kids of course are welcome. Typical of family-friendly events (and let me tell you the weather in this part of Texas the 3rd Sunday in October is usually edible!) , you can just come on in and watch. Lots of bleacher seating and I think I recall some chicken wire. (Hey! It's Texas.) If you want to dance, there's a small fee, $7 pp. That's all day and all night. Parking is free. It's open air. You'll be joining a 125-year tradition - the 3rd Sunday in May and the 3rd Sunday in October. The only exception was in 1998 when the flooding in Comal County was so bad the Oktoberfest had to be cancelled. The area around Anhalt was settled by the Germans and there are many interesting touristy things to do. You won't want to miss the towns of Fredericksburg, and New Braunfels, nearby, and of course Austin is the state capital, and San Antonio is a tourist mecca with the Alamo, Sea World, Fiesta Texas, the RiverWalk and more.