Germantown Oktoberfest Now Accepting 2006 Charity Applications

GERMANTOWN, Maryland -- May 8, 2006 -- The 24th Germantown Oktoberfest, a family-oriented festival held each fall to benefit local organizations, is now accepting applications for 2006 designated charity. Germantown Oktoberfest encourages all qualified non-profit and not-for-profit charities in the greater Germantown area to apply by June 30, 2006 to be considered.

The selected charity will receive a portion of the proceeds from the event and will also play an active role in the festival by staffing the "Build Your Own Scarecrow" activity, in which participants pay an activity fee to build life-sized scarecrows using straw and old clothes. "Build Your Own Scarecrow" is one of most popular activities at the festival, and the selected charity is entitled to all activity fees.

The 2005 designated charity, Stepping Stones Shelter, received a check for $5,000 from the festival planning committee and more than $1,000 in activity fees.

How to Apply
Applications are now available at www.germantownoktoberfest.org/charity.htm. Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2006. The selected charity will be notified in early June. Volunteers from the charity are expected to attend monthly planning meetings that are usually held in the evening on the first Wednesday of the month. The charity is also expected to assist in the planning of the event; procurement of used clothing, straw, other supplies for the "Build Your Own Scarecrow" activity; and provide a sufficient number of volunteers (at least 10 people) to staff the activity throughout the day-long festival. Questions should be addressed to charity@germantownoktoberfest.org or by calling 240-777-8003.

About Germantown Oktoberfest
The 2006 Germantown Oktoberfest will take place Saturday, October 7 at Ridge Road Park in Germantown, Maryland on Rt. 355 from 11:00 am to dark. Now in its 24th year, the Germantown Oktoberfest is the longest-running community event in Upper Montgomery County. To learn more, visit www.GermantownOktoberfest.org.

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