LOUD SOCA music from Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and chatter could be heard by guests approaching the Jamaican-German Society House on Worthington Avenue, in New Kingston where the Jamaican-German Society held its 27th annual Oktoberfest.
Security at the gate was tight and a woman, with a no-nonsense look, ensured that no one beat the gate.
While there were tables set for dinner, patrons stood most of the time greeting and meeting friends or dancing. At 11:00 p.m. people were still streaming into the venue for what was to be the largest event of the year hosted by the Jamaican-German Society.
Byron Lee and the Dragonaires had the large crowd following their instructions for the different soca hits. Rags, shirts, blouses and anything that could be waved were in the air as the lead singer called upon them to "dance, jump and wave and run like Beenie Man."
Temperatures rose as individuals pranced and bodies got sweaty. And at intervals they made their way through the crowd, bumping into each other or stepping on toes, to get to the bar where free beers were served. And the highly charged group guzzled down ale in the beer drinking contest.
Oktoberfest mugs were on sale and many drank their free beer from these large commemorative mugs.
The hot chicken soup went down well, but organisers ran out of bread which was served with jerked chicken or German sausage.
There was a good mix of Germans and Jamaicans, who also enjoyed music from both countries.
