Music floods the town and as you near the church and by the time you’re close enough to see the train tracks, the intoxicating smell of popcorn and fried chicken is the only thing on your mind. 

Oktoberfest is one of the church’s biggest fundraisers of the year. Proceeds benefit the needs of the parish as well at maintenance and upkeep of the school and early learning center. While it takes many volunteers from the parish and community to put such a large event together, the St. Joseph’s Oktoberfest can be attributed largely to Adel Stuckenschneider.

“I always thought that Adele was instrumental in getting this started for our church,” says Oktoberfest co chair Stephanie Wilburn

Lunch which included kettle fried chicken, cheesy hashbrown casserole, beans, brats, hot dogs, pasta salad and more was provided by the Knights of Columbus who certainly had their work cut out for them. By noon the parish grounds were packed with people; a line wound all the way through the field past the church. Across from the lunch tent was a bake sale offering slices of homemade treats sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. 

“We have a country store with lots of handmade gifts,” says Wilburn. “People make homemade salsas, breads, pies cakes, and we take in gently used items.

Martinsburg is largely a farming community and this time of year can be pretty demanding of farmers with the fall harvest. 

“We’re having a great harvest this year and I think it’s a chance for us to be happy with that, take a break and have a relaxing Sunday afternoon,” says Wilburn 

And relax they did with entertainment by a family of local DJ’s. Dustin Null was there with his daughter Kinlee and father Dave who has been in the DJ and entertainment business for 42 years.

Aside from the food, maybe one of the biggest draws of Oktoberfest is the annual car show. Registration began at 10 a.m. and was open until noon. Awards for the best cars across 11 different classes were given later that afternoon at 2 p.m,. Pearl Motor company in Mexico provides a cash donation every year which funds the trophies for the car show.

“A fun one is that our parish priest will have, “Father Derik’s choice,” and he gives out awards for that,” says Wilburn.

Currently, St. Josephs has a whopping 300 active families in the parish and the school has 69 students representing 42 families. The Oktoberfest serves as a reunion as well as a fundraiser. Running the alumni booth and raffle this year was former principal Kathleen (Kay) Robnett, class of ‘62 and Jean Aulbur, class of ‘58. 

Like the picnic, this event reaches far beyond Martinsburg and the breezy October weather made for an even more perfect day. Despite its size, there is no denying that Martinsburg certainly knows how to party.