by Eric Surber

The Kernersville community will raise tasting glasses in support for their iconic house on Saturday, October 4, 2014.  Presented by PuraVida Promotions, BB&T, and Highland Industries, the 4th Annual Kernersville Oktoberfest is a tasting celebration featuring fantastic local food and beverages in the spirit of a German Oktoberfest which takes place on the lawn at Körner’s Folly.

The Kernersville Oktoberfest celebrates local food, local history, and Kernersville’s German heritage.  Ticket sales benefit the continued operation and restoration of Körner’s Folly, while providing guests with a great sampling of German-inspired treats.  This year’s event will feature seasonal craft beers from the Brewer’s Kettle and Hoots Roller Bar and desserts like black forest cupcakes from Cake and All Things Yummy.  Enjoy unique sauces and sauerkraut from Sauceez Fine Foods and Deli on Main, to top the savory beer soaked bratwursts.  New this year, 1 Stop will sample their famous “taters and chicken” and Bean Me Up Cafe will serve snickerdoodle coffee.  We have over fifteen food and beverage sponsors to ensure that tasting continues for the entire three-hour event.

Early bird tickets are $25 per person when purchased online by September 15th (www.kornersfolly.org).  After September 15 tickets will be $30 per person.  Pre-purchasing tickets is highly encouraged, as the event sold out last year.  Each ticket admits one person into the event, which includes unlimited food, beverages, and a complimentary house tour. Participants are invited to learn about the history of Körner’s Folly between 10am and 4pm the day of the event, with a complimentary tour that will let people see first-hand the restoration projects Oktoberfest supports.  At 4pm, the house will close to let the tasting begin.

Some helpful advice before attending the event is to bring a lawn chair.  Limited seating will be provided, so to ensure a seat, we encourage you to pack your own.  Also, only people aged 21 and up are admitted to the event—so leave the stroller behind and make it a parent’s night out. The event will take place rain or shine, and a large tent will shelter the North Lawn to keep everyone dry.

The 2014 Kernersville Oktoberfest will celebrate the completion of the exterior restoration.  Since Oktoberfest began in 2011, the Körner’s Folly Foundation has worked ceaselessly to stabilize the house’s foundation, repair the porches, and fix the deteriorating tin roof.  With the last shingles nailed to the roof in early September, the house will be completely stabilized and weatherproofed, making it possible to begin interior restoration.  It is an exciting time in the history of Körner’s Folly as generous contributions from the community have made large scale restoration projects possible.

“We hope that people will see how the community is saving Körner’s Folly as a cultural resource,” Dale Pennington, Executive Director of Körner’s Folly said.  “And we are glad that people can have fun and celebrate history.”

Next up on the restoration agenda, the Körner’s Folly Foundation will kick off interior restoration beginning with the Rose Room, which was the bedroom of Jule Körner’s daughter Doré Körner.  Doré was not only a beloved member of the Körner family, but she was also important in linking Kernersville to its German heritage.  Upon graduating from Salem College in 1912, Doré traveled across Europe for two years.  During this time, she reconnected with her German family members in the black forest region of Germany.  And yes, the Kerners and Körners both trace their ancestry to Germany.  The Körner family emigrated from Germany in the early 19th century, and when the family settled in Kernersville, some family members kept the more traditional German spelling with “ör” while others adopted the Americanized “er” spelling.  Today, the Town of Kernersville is sister cities with Furtwangen, Germany located in the Black Forest region.

The house’s strong connection with Germany makes Körner’s Folly and Kernersville the perfect venue for an American Oktoberfest.  Körner’s Folly’s eclectic architecture is reminiscent of the whimsical houses in the Black Forest region of Germany.  If you have not yet reserved your flight to Munich, consider reserving a ticket to Kernersville’s Oktoberfest—your taste buds will be just as pleased!

For more information about the event, to purchase tickets, or volunteer at the event, please visit our Oktoberfest webpage www.kornersfolly.org/oktoberfest or call (336) 996-7922.