Natures shines on Ok’fest’s opening day

Official ceremonies to start the Oktoberfest weekend are 6 o’clock this evening at Walhalla’s Sertoma Field. The unofficial start is always the community feed under the tent where the featured delectable, as always, was bratwurst in recognition of Walhalla’s Germanic founding. The weather was sunny and comfortable temperatures, but the concern is that rain tomorrow could dampen the rest of the festival weekend. The luncheon under the big tent is always an occasion of good will and appearances by the festival beauty queen as well as a number of public officials who are involved in re-election campaigns. Most prominent of all was Lindsey Graham, the U-S senator who will be a candidate for re-election next year. The sound of sirens in the area spoiled the event for some public safety responders who made a quick exist for what apparently was fire in an abandoned trailer west of the city limits on SC 28/ the Highlands Highway.