The year was 1979 and Oktoberfest was born of humble beginnings on the East bank of the Arkansas River in Tulsa. The first Oktoberfest was suggested by Vivian Steele, then public affairs administrator for the River Parks Authority.  Original sponsors of the festival were KJRH, the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, The Tulsa Tribune, KBEZ Radio and the River Parks Authority.  A few small tents, Master of Ceremonies Josef Hardt, producer-director at KJRH, support from the German-American Club of Oklahoma City and the first Oktoberfest was well underway.

After that first festival, seed money was set aside for the second, which again was held on the east bank in the Model Parks area.  During the second year of the festival, 100,000 people attended, more than double the first year’s attendance.  Oktoberfest patrons consumed 3,500 pounds of knackwurst, bratwurst and sauerkraut.  With hamburgers, hotdogs and corn dogs also available, it was apparent the crowd craved German food.

Oktoberfest moved to the West Bank of the Arkansas River in 1981.  For many people, festival volunteers in particular, it was an unforgettable occasion.  The weather was not kind to Oktoberfest that year and the festival became known as Mudfest.  The rains came and stayed.  Meetings were held and discussions ensued over whether or not to cancel the festival.  The festival went on as
scheduled, not for just one weekend, but for two weekends.  The Heilbronn Band from Germany played, the Chicken Dance was introduced to festival-goers and ironically, Mudfest for many attendees became the most fun of all. Where loads of hay had been brought in the previous year to control the mud and water, in 1982, water wagons were utilized to control the dust.  For 1982, Oktoberfest was once again located on what is now a portion of the Westport Apartment complex property.  The Burlington Northern Railway provided train rides from the festival location to Jenks America.  The crowd reached an estimated 250,000 and ate five miles of sausages in addition to mountains of kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) sauerkraut and pickles.
Oktoberfest for 1983 and 1984 was on the move once again to a location just south of 21st Street in the Old West Park.  The move was necessitated due to the start of construction on the Westport Apartment complex.  At the new location, many of the tents were located over existing parking lots and there was no dust or mud to contend with.  By this point in time, the festival was established and people found the festival location with little regard to its changed location!

Completion of the existing festival site in 1985 provided Oktoberfest with a permanent home, more space and the necessary infrastructure to allow a growing and maturing festival to better accommodate and serve the ever-growing crowds.  Each year brings different bands from Germany, variations in German and European foods, arts and crafts and fun activities for the children.  Each year, Oktoberfest donates a sizable portion of its revenues to the River Parks Authority for continuing improvements to the festival site and park system.