On Saturday, September 20, 2025, downtown Copperas Cove came alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of the 2nd Annual SHOPCOVE Oktoberfest. With more than 5,200 attendees throughout the evening, this year’s festival was bigger and better than ever, proving again that when community, culture, and commerce come together, everyone wins.
A Full Evening of Fun and Tradition
This year’s festival expanded its lineup of contests, performances, and cultural activities to create an authentic Oktoberfest experience for all ages. Guests enjoyed:
History of Oktoberfest & German Community in Texas (4–10 PM)
Traditional Tapping of the Keg Ceremony (4:30 PM)
Live Oktoberfest Music, Polkas, and Waltzes by the Pivo & Polka Band from San Antonio (5–10 PM)
Bavarian Attire Contest hosted by The House on Main (5:30 PM)
Traditional German Dance Performance (6:00 PM)
Local German Chorus Performance (6:15 PM)
Yodeling Demonstration & Contest hosted by Taste of Cove Food Truck Park and Rainbow Heart Studio (6:30 PM)
Brat Eating Contest hosted by Herb & Earnie’s (7:00 PM)
Sausage Tossing Contest hosted by Refresh Spa & Salon (8:00 PM)
Stein Holding Contest hosted by Nelson Brew Works (9:00 PM)
And throughout the entire event, the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) ran the Digital Passport Contest at our booth, powered by the Discover Copperas Cove app. Attendees who completed the passport challenge were entered into a raffle basket packed with prizes.
Community Partnerships at the Heart of Oktoberfest
Events like Oktoberfest don’t happen without strong local support. This year’s festival was made possible thanks to the incredible contributions of our local sponsors and partners who came together to make downtown Copperas Cove the place to be.
2025 Oktoberfest Sponsors
Brew Master Sponsor: Seneca Buildworks
Schnitzel Giver Sponsors: Divine Signs & Printing, Vera Bank, Nelson Brew Works
Oompah Patron Sponsors: Moose Lodge, Dewald Properties, J.Clark Homes, Grace United Methodist Church, HEB, Stoner's Pizza Joint, Bill French Jewelers, Grant Works, Card My Yard
Dirndl Champion Sponsors: Epic Treasures, Larry's Barber Shop, Ace Hardware, JC Stubbs
Pretzel Principal Sponsors: Cuts by Crystal, National Mounted Warfare Foundation, Party-N-Jump, Area 254, Top Shelf Custom Cabinets, The Cove Theater, Mojo Coffee
From small businesses to larger employers, each sponsor played a role in enhancing our quality of life and demonstrating what makes Copperas Cove special: a community that supports one another.
Behind the Scenes: Anne Seneca’s Leadership
Every detail of Oktoberfest reflects countless hours of planning, dedication, and passion from Anne Seneca, CCEDC’s Small Business Support Director. From coordinating with businesses and vendors to updating the downtown ordinance that allows open containers at events like this, Anne’s leadership made it possible to create a fun, social, and welcoming atmosphere downtown. Her work ensures that Oktoberfest and future events can continue to grow and bring people together.
Our Cultural Advisor: Heike Mathis
A special thank you goes to Heike Mathis, our Cultural Advisor, who brought more authenticity and tradition to Oktoberfest this year. Heike coached our team on proper German pronunciations, ensured cultural details were accurate, and personally traveled to countless locations to deliver event flyers, helping spread the word throughout the community. Her guidance added depth and authenticity that truly enriched the festival experience.
Our Host: Brian Hawkins
Special thanks go to Brian Hawkins, who served as this year’s event host and emcee. Brian kept the crowd engaged, the contests running smoothly, and the energy high throughout the night. His enthusiasm added to the festival’s success and kept attendees laughing, cheering, and celebrating.
Why It Matters
Oktoberfest is more than a night of great food, live music, and fun contests. It’s a direct investment in our community. The event generated thousands of customer interactions for vendors and small businesses, created a platform for local entrepreneurs and performers, and strengthened Copperas Cove’s reputation as a community where people want to live, work, and invest.
The record attendance proves what we already know: Copperas Cove has the people, the passion, and the potential to keep building on these successes.
Thank You
The CCEDC extends a heartfelt thank you to our partners, sponsors, vendors, performers, and the thousands of attendees who came out to celebrate. Together, we created memories, boosted local business, and showed just how bright the future is for downtown Copperas Cove.
We can’t wait to see you at next year’s Oktoberfest!