Aiken’s Oktoberfest Draws Community to Newberry Street
The Aiken Downtown Development Association (ADDA) hosted its annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 26 in Newberry Street’s festival area. EmmaLee Sams of ADDA expressed satisfaction with the event, noting favorable weather, strong attendance, and significant community turnout. The Oktoberfest tradition in Aiken began in 2013.
Music for the event was provided by the Foothills Oompah Band, which traveled from the Greenville area. John Hoppe, a trumpet player and vocalist for the band, observed strong crowd interaction throughout the celebration.
A highlight of the festivities was the stein-hoisting contest. Magnum Gaugush, an Edgefield resident and soldier stationed at Fort Gordon, won the competition by holding a full beer stein for 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Gaugush mentioned that he had previously lived in Germany for four years during his youth when his father was stationed there. Kevin Burnett, Gaugush’s closest competitor, improved upon his third-place finish from 2025 in the same contest.
