The coronavirus has claimed another victim when it comes to long-running fall events in North Georgia.
Today, the Greater Helen Area Chamber of Commerce announced its decision to postpone its part of Alpine Helen’s 50th Oktoberfest celebration, held in the Festhalle, until 2021.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision,” wrote Chamber Executive Director Renee Green. “No one could have imagined a situation that would cause us to cancel the Festhalle celebrations for our 50th anniversary, and all options were looked at prior to reaching our decision.”
The Festhalle is considered a live performance event facility under state guidelines for COVID-19 response/reopening, therefore the events traditionally held there will not be possible.
“With the safety of our employees and the tourists who visit our facility as our top priority, we are postponing our 50th anniversary celebration of Oktoberfest until 2021,” Green wrote.
City officials stress Oktoberfest will be observed in Helen, just not in the traditional large gathering way at the Festhalle, adding they still have open doors and want tourists to visit.
Both Green and city leaders stressed Helen still is open for tourists and visitors, now and during the traditional Oktoberfest period.
“The businesses we represent are still open for you,” Green wrote. “We still have some of the best restaurants you will find anywhere. Our beautiful mountains are still here. We love our visitors and we welcome them.”
Green said those who attend the Oktoberfest celebration at the Festhalle expect an authentic celebration, with filled dance floors, beer lines, dancing parades through the hall and not the current social distancing provisions that would be required.
The Helen Chamber Oktoberfest Celebration is only the latest in a series of almost daily postponement and event cancellations, including the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair in Clarkesville, the Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee, Depot Days Festival in Hartwell and others.
