A once financially struggling town, Helen reconstructed itself in 1968 under the watch of local artist John Kollak, transforming it into the town that it is today. Two years later, in 1970, Helen’s Oktoberfest tradition began.

Thursday, Sept. 5th marked the first day of the 54th annual Helen Oktoberfest.

The nearly two-month-long event is an ode to the original festival, by the same name, that takes place every year in Munich, Germany.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains, Helen is home to fewer than 600 people according to the 2022 U.S census. However, Business Insider reports that events like Oktoberfest make it the third-most frequented city in Georgia.

The Bavarian-style town streets are filled with nods to German heritage.

Professor Bartholomew Wisniewski is a University of North Georgia lecturer of German explains how Oktoberfest does this.

“Oktoberfest signifies a celebration of German, and specifically Bavarian, traditions. It is very common to see people wearing Trachten traditional clothing such as Dirndl, a specific style of dress for women or Lederhosen, a sort of leather overalls for men. At Oktoberfest, one can hear traditional Bavarian/German music, as well as contemporary music from Germany and abroad.” – Bartholomew Wisniewski, UNG Professor of German

Dennis Teasley, a Chattanooga, Tennessee native has made the trip three consecutive years and doesn’t plan on stopping in the years to come.

“This place is like an image out of a postcard and just an overall good time. Everyone just singing and enjoying each other’s company. What’s not to love?” Teasley said.

The official Oktoberfest activities occur at the cities’ Festhalle, where the initial tapping of the keg takes place following the opening parade. Here beer, food and live music from a slew of German bands can be enjoyed.

Dates, hours and pricing for the festhalle during Oktboerfest are as follows:

• Dates

Sept. 26 – Oct. 27, 2024   (nightly)

• Hours

Monday through Thursday
6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Friday
6 p.m. – Midnight

Saturday
1 p.m. – Midnight

Sunday
1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

• Pricing (Subject to change)

Adults
Monday – Thursday: $10.00
Friday/Saturday: $12.00

Friday/Saturday pass: $20.00
Sunday: Free

Active & Retired Military: Free with a military ID 

Kids
Under 6: Free
Age 6 – 12: Half price

While entertainment is a main aspect of the festivities, showcasing the community and local businesses is at the forefront of the longest- running Oktoberfest in the country. German cuisine classics like bratwurst, goulash and schnitzel accompanied by German beers can be enjoyed at Helen staples such as Bodensee and The Heidelberg. 

While the event is a family-friendly experience, weekdays tend to lean that way, with weekends catered towards the nightlife.