TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Oktoberfest takes over River West Festival Park this week.
Organizers told 2 News more than 1,000 volunteers bring the event to life.
Carol Wright started volunteering 35 years ago. She's one of the many volunteers preparing for the festival.
Wright, born in Germany, also dances in authentic German clothing for the event. She said a lot keeps her coming back year after year.
"The friendships, the people, the excitement of what's to come. I only missed one Oktoberfest in all those years."
Oktoberfest Tulsa celebrates German culture with food, beer, live music, and dancing. Special events kick off Oct. 15 and 16, and it opens to the public Oct. 17 - 20.
The festival is held at River West Festival Park, located near 23rd and Jackson in west Tulsa. Organizers said they're expecting a huge crowd thanks to the weather.
Wright said it requires a lot of help, "absolutely, we could not do it without the volunteers."
Organizers said some of the volunteers have been there throughout the festival's 45-year history.
"It's an absolute joy to see the dedication and commitment and pure joy that they bring into putting this together," said Tonja Carrigg, festival director.
Wright said show people German culture makes it an easy decision to keep volunteering.
"Everyone in Tulsa becomes German on the third weekend of October because the German culture and traditions and the language is something we need to preserve," said Wright.
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