A four-piece German band will return for the ninth edition of Fountain Hills Oktoberfest on Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1, in Fountain Park.

The entrance fee will be $5; children under 12 will be admitted free. If you wear a dirndl or lederhosen, the entrance fee will be waived.

Hours will be 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., both days. The official keg tapping ceremony by Mayor Linda Kavanagh will open the festival at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30.

This year also marks the 206th anniversary of the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, first organized as a “Volksfest” in celebration of Bavarian King Ludwig’s marriage in 1810. The popular annual tradition continues to this day.

What makes the Fountain Hills event special?

“It’s a celebration of German traditions,” said Fountain Events, Inc. organizer Christine Colley. Fountain Events, Inc. is a not-for-profit event organization.

In addition to the authentic music, Die Echten Waldbuam, German food specialties and a variety of beer selections will be served.

Mouthwatering foot-long brats, schnitzels, turkey legs, pretzels, apple strudel and new this year, homemade potato pancakes cooked on site, will tempt the taste buds.

The German-brewed beers will include the traditional Oktoberfest Bier, Pilsner Dunkel (dark) and Koenig Ludwig’s award-winning Hefeweizen. New this year will be a special beer tapping of the limited edition, Warsteiner Braumeister Red Bock Beer, at 7 p.m., Friday.

The brew celebrates the 500-year-old Reinheitsgebot, quality standards of the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, under which German beers are brewed today.

Another new market introduction will be the “Fizzy German,” a combination of premium German beer and grapefruit juice.

The first Oktoberfest souvenir mug will be introduced and sold for $5. The clear acrylic mug is a replica of the one liter glass used in the Hofbraeuhaus in Germany.

Attendees can compete for fun and prizes in the Bier stein holding competition, best dressed and Alphorn blowing contest. Clucky the chicken, host mascot, will return to entertain guests with the “chicken dance.”

A family-friendly interactive area will provide bounce houses and a rock-climbing wall for children at no additional cost.

A vendor area will offer products of many local businesses.

Colley said Fountain Events, Inc. was founded on the idea of creating fun family-friendly events with proceeds supporting local charities, such as veterans, community and high school projects. Sponsorships to help raise funds for the charities are always welcome, she said.

Combined contributions to charities in the past eight years exceeded $100,000.

More than 100 volunteers contribute more than 1,000 hours to make Oktoberfest a success, said Colley.

The Sons of the American Legion will prepare the brats, sauerkraut, schnitzels, turkey legs and hot dogs.

Four Peaks Rotary members will serve pretzels, soft drinks, wine and beer.

Sister Cities International will serve apple strudel prepared by Chef Jose of the Fireside Grill.

The high school girls’ basketball team and parents will keep the premises clean.

Fountain View Village staff will transport handicapped guests to and from the event. Desert Canyon Golf Course will donate golf carts for volunteers to efficiently maneuver around the park.

Noon Kiwanis members will staff the entrance gates.