Weekend Lineup
  Celebrate Hogs, Bier, Czhili, and POLKA!

Elgin Hogeye Festival
Elgin, the Sausage Capital of Texas outdoes itself once again with the 32nd Annual Hogeye Festival, Oct. 25-26, celebrating in a small town with a huge appetite for family fun and a tremendous spirit for honoring pigs. On Friday, from 8 pm to midnight,  enjoy the free Hogeye Street Dance with Kenny Orts and No Chance Band on Depot Street. Then continue the love for the hog on Saturday from 10 am until 6 pm. The free festival features live music and entertainment on three stages, handmade arts and crafts, children's activities, a children's costume pet parade, vintage farm equipment display, a carnival, Road Hog Car Show, BBQ Pork Cook-Off, Hogalicious Dessert Contest, Cow Patty Bingo, In A Pig's Eye Cornhole Tournament, the Pearls Before Swine Art Show, and great festive food! Free Festival Shuttle available at the Hwy 95 North Park and Ride.

Round Top OktoBierfest
Members of Rifle Hall in Round Top invite you to the 8th Annual OktoBierFest on Sat., Oct. 26. The Schützenkönig John Wantland has the honor of tapping the first keg. John was crowned könig at Schützenfest in September, winning the annual shooting contest. OctoBierFest will be held from 11 am-8 pm, and the traditional Fassanstich (keg tapping) for the 8th annual fest will be held at 12 noon sharp in the covered pavilion!  The bier is presented in gravity fed-style requiring no CO2, just as it has been done in Germany for centuries and will be served free to all while it lasts. The authentic German menu features bratwurst, Kassler-style pork chops, German potatoes, and sauerkraut. This year's music lineup will feature the Auf Geht's German showband from Houston, Enzian Buam, Alpine Yodelers from Frelsubrg, and Round Top Brass Band.

Flatonia Czhilispiel
Czhilispiel 47 is set for Oct. 25-27. Held in historic downtown Flatonia for decades, all ages have enjoyed the wide array of outstanding music and entertainment, the largest tented biergarten, arts and crafts, food booths, carnival, class reunions, adult and children contests, "grand" parade, loads of food, fun, drinks, and dancing--and this year is guaranteed to be no exception! And yes, it is indeed one of the largest chili cook-offs in Texas (CASI sanctioned). Chili not your thing? That's okay, they also have a barbecue cook-off (IBCA sanctioned).  Friday holds no gate admission and gates open at 6 pm with the biergarten, carnival, food booths, arts & crafts all open. Get ready for some big-time dancing with Victor Rodriguez, DJ Superman, Cristina Amaro Tribute Show to the Queen of Tejano, and DJ Luna.  Gates on Saturday open at 8 am. Bring your cameras for the mid-afternoon laughs as the Jalapeno Eating Contest, Ladies' Daisy Duke and Men's Hairy Leg Contests all kick off on the Czhili Stage at 3 pm. Musical entertainment for Saturday evening includes Brandi Behlen, Czechaholics, Barditch Hippies, Broken Alibi, Logan Samford, and Shane Smith & The Saints.  Don't even think about packing up and going home as Sunday is a wonderful way to enjoy yet more fun Texas hometown Flatonia activities. Gates open at 10 am with no gate admission. The Czhilispiel Grand Parade will fire up at noon. More entertainment graces Sunday's stage with D'Vine Testament, Shiner Hobo Band, Los Kolaches, and LC Rocks.

Galveston Island OFest
Galveston's premier fall festival - the 38th Annual Island Oktoberfest - expands to a 3-day event this year -for the first time ever. This year's festival kicks off Fri., Oct. 25 from 5-10 pm; continues Sat., Oct. 26 from 11 am - 10 pm, and will be highlighted Sunday morning with a special German Polka Church service - outside - under the big tent beginning at 10am, with a special Fellowship to follow.
This fun, family weekend will feature continuous live entertainment on two stages, an expanded menu of authentic German food and libations, Cake Wheel, shopping for fine arts, crafts and gifts in the historic 1860 Lyceum; a lively auction, more fun contests, beer and wine events, and fun, family children's activities - plus much more. Enjoy music by Das Ist Lustig, TubaMeisters, Auf Geht's, and more, plus performances by German folk dance groups.

Polkapocalypse in Austin
The SIXTH First Annual POLKAPOCALYPSE! will be upon us on Sun., Oct. 27. Yes: It's the first because it's "The Polkapocalypse" so the clock starts over every time. Awesome polka bands, including Brave Combo, will rock the huaraches off your lederhosen with a crazy mix of Tejano, Czech, German, Polish, Honky Tonk, and Norteño beatz! This year, an addition: A COSTUME CONTEST! Come dressed as the Chicken Dance Chicken, a Lederhosen-clad zombie, a Día de los Muertos Catrina or whatever suits your fancy! Best costume wins good karma and a Polka Prize!! The audience judges. Music lineup 12-5:30P: Austin Polka Band, Fabulous Polkasonics, Eva Ybarra, Patricia Vonne, and Brave Combo.

Czechaholics, 4-7P, Schroeder Hall, Goliad
Jodie Mikula Orchestra, 1-5P, Moravian Hall, Jarrell
Red Ravens, 2-6P, Sweet Home
Texas Legacy Czech Band, 1-5P, Caldwell
SA Combo, 11A-4P, Schertz


Church picnic alert!
Sunday
BELLVILLE: Sts Peter & Paul Oktoberfest - 11A-4P with the Dujka Brothers
HOUSTON: Lutherfest @ Our Savoir Lutheran Church - Das Ist Lustig, 11A
NEEDVILLE: St. Michael's Picnic @ KC Hall - Texas Sound Check, 11A-2:30P


Check out these TPN/polkabeat advertisers
Cistern Country Store Friday: DJ Superman...Saturday: Kirby James...Thursday (10/31): DJ Marty Mar
Krause's Cafe Friday: Soul Sessions...Wednesday (10/30): All Mixed Up Variety Band...Thursday (10/31): The Craze
Mullins Prairie Store Saturday: Risky Liver Band
Schroeder Hall Sunday: Czechaholics...Saturday (11/2): Charley Pride
Sweet Home Saturday: South Paw...Sunday: Red Ravens
VFW #10352 Houston Sunday: Bootleg Country

Looking ahead to next week : Monday - Charles Thibodeaux & Austin Cajun Aces in Austin...Central Texas Accordion Association meeting at Casa ChapalainAustin.   Tuesday - Alan Walling in Plano (Wed., Thurs., too!)...San Antonio Accordion Association Meeting at Chester's Hamburgers featuring Mike Middleton, costume contest.  Wednesday - Das Ist Lustig @ Rudi Lechner's in Houston...SA Country in San Antonio...Mike Stroup in Schulenburg. Thursday - Roger Kirby & Texas Heartbeat in Waco




Enjoy festival mania and Polka On!

Coming in November: Nathan Colt Young is filling the dance floors at Central Texas dance halls. Find out how he got his start and why he's keeping it country. Gary McKee looks at some facts and figures about Texas Polka News. Justin Everett reviews Elvis' Vegas Comeback album on the 50th anniversary of its release, profiles DJs Mollie B and Ted Lange, and features polka up-and-comers Garrett Neubauer and Chris Trojacek. Welcome Christy Krawisz, new president of the International Polka Association, and her first column for the paper. Read stories on upcoming events like Wurstfest, Festival of Texas Fiddling, Tomball German Christmas Market, and the annual gala of the Czech Center in La Grange honoring Tony Janak Orchestra, City Polka Boys, and former Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka.  Of course, we have your November calendar of dances, festivals, and live music events, and some ideas on where to ring in the new year. 
Visit
texaspolkanews.com to see latest issue.

Photo Gallery 
TCHCC Heritage Fest Friday Night
Click on photo to see images by Gary E. McKee
TCHCC Heritage Fest Saturday
Click on photo to see images by Julie Matus, Earline Berger Okruhlik, Jo Holba, Andy Behlen, Gary E. McKee
Bluebonnet Opry Polka Show
Click on photo to see images by Julie Matus and  Gary E. McKee
Wallis Guardian Angel Picnic
Click on photo to see images by Gary E. McKee
King's Bierhaus OFest
Click on photo to see images by Julie Matus 
Houston Beer Fest
Click on photo to see images by Julie Matus
Nathan Colt Young at Sweet Home
Click on photo to see images by Joe Cool Pavlicek
Smithville Church Picnic
Click on photo to see images by Gary E. McKee

Polka Trending
 
Polka Mass in Chicago

Get to Know the Polka King: Read an Excerpt from "American Warsaw"

The Sands of Time: Seven Decades of Polka

Island Oktoberfest brings oompah fun, festivities Oct. 25-27


Polish Pete is at it again. Adding to the Altuve Polka, it's Springer Dinger.
Let's hope George Springer gets some dingers in DC!!!!
 











Moulton High School Reunion
Click on photo to see images by Joe Cool Pavlicek, Class of '72

Watch the videos  by Walt Harfmann of Schuetzenfest with 
The Original Bavarian Blasmusik and  Donnie Wavra...James & Halie Marek wedding reception with Dujka Brothers, Fritz Hodde/Fab 6, and Lee Roy Matocha Review...
Walburgfest with Walt & Kurt Harfmann, Walburg Boys, & AlpenMusikanten...Fritz Hodde & Fab 6 at Granger picnic...Dujka Brothers & Praha Brothers at Praha Picnic...Mark Halata & Texavia at Elgin.


Watch the videos  by George Weber of Czech & Then Some and The Moravians at Caldwell Kolache Festival...Texas Sound Check, Charles & Fab 4, Mark Halata & Texavia at PoLK of A party in New Taiton...Ennis Czech Boys, Dujka Brothers, Mason Nesvadba at at East Bernard Kolache Fest...Shiner Hobos and Mark Halata/Texavia at Shiner Picnic.
WEEKLY LAUGH
The couple was 85 years old and had been married for sixty years. Unfortunately, the old man was somewhat of a grump. Though not young, they were both in very good health, largely due to the wife's insistence on healthy foods and exercise for the last decade.
One day, their good health didn't help when they went on a rare vacation and their plane crashed, sending them off to Heaven.
They reached the pearly gates, and St. Peter escorted them inside. He took them to a beautiful mansion, furnished in gold and fine silks, with a fully stocked kitchen and a waterfall in the master bath. They gasped in astonishment when he said, 'Welcome to Heaven. This will be your home now.'
The old man asked St.Peter how much all this was going to cost.
'Why, nothing, St. Peter replied, 'remember, this is your reward in Heaven.'
The old man looked out the window and right there he saw a championship golf course, finer and more beautiful than any ever built on Earth.
'What are the greens fees?' grumbled the old man.
'This is heaven' St. Peter replied. 'You can play for free, every day.'
Next they went to the clubhouse and saw the lavish buffet lunch, with every imaginable cuisine laid out before them, from seafood to steaks to exotic deserts, free flowing beverages.
'Don't even ask,' said St. Peter to the man, 'this is Heaven, it is all free for you to enjoy.'
The old man looked around and glanced nervously at his wife.
'Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol foods, and the decaffeinated tea?,' he asked..
'That's the best part,' St. Peter replied, 'you can eat and drink as much as you like of whatever you like, and you will never get fat or sick. This is Heaven!'
The old man pushed, 'No gym to work out at?'
'Not unless you want to,' was the answer.
'No testing my sugar or blood pressure or...'
'Never again. All you do here is enjoy yourself.'

The old man glared at his wife and said, 'You and your dang bran muffins. We could have been here ten years ago!'
 

Submitted by Christine Schulze    Share your jokes:
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