MARINE CORPS AIR STATIO CHERRY POINT, NC -- Service members and their families let loose and got in touch with their inner rock star while learning a little about authentic German culture during the 5th annual Rocktoberfest at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 18, 2018. Rocktoberfest is hosted by Cherry Point Marine Corps Community Services and is intended bring the Cherry Point community together and build camaraderie while having a great time.
It gives Marines a great chance to let their hair down and have fun, said Col. Todd W. Ferry, MCAS Cherry Point commanding officer.
Rocktoberfest is a combination of a rock ‘n’ roll concert and Octoberfest, a Bavarian-themed festival celebrating various aspects of the Bavarian culture.
The free food that was available resembled what you would find on a trip to Germany. Options included bratwurst, sauerkraut and German red cabbage called blaukraut.
To accompany the food and music, several games were held with different teams, some dressed in costumes, some not, competing against each other.
One such game was the stein race where each team sent one challenger through an obstacle course at a time. To start, the contender had to spin in circles with their heads on the base of the handle of a baseball bat for a 10 rotations. While still fighting through disorientation and dizziness, contestants had to traverse their way through various obstacles before the next teammate was allowed to begin. The winners were awarded a grand prize of $1,000 for their unit.
Rocktoberfest wouldn’t be complete without the addition of live rock music. This year’s performance featured the return of Devour the Day, North Carolina natives. Other bands performing included, He is Legend and this year’s headliner, Nonpoint.
Elias Soriano, the lead vocalist for the band nonpoint, said, That as soon as they saw it was a request to play for the military they accepted it, any chance they have to give back they take it. “We love our Marines,” said Soriano.