Oktoberfest, the Wildbrumby Way

On Saturday 4th October 2025, we are celebrating over a decade of Oktoberfests held at Wildbrumby Distillery! We asked Chris Wall from the Cooma District Band, how the band came to be involved with the annual Oktoberfest, and why it’s a great day out for the whole family.

How did the Cooma District Band become involved with Oktoberfest at Wildbrumby?

About 15 or 20 years ago I would think it was, we found a book, “Alles Stimmung”, in the band’s music stores, with 10 well known Bavarian style songs and tunes. At the time we had a few German speakers in the band, and so we gathered a bit more music, and put on an Oktoberfest…I think it was at the Air Rifle club in Cooma, which had a German background. We asked Monika and Brad (the founders of Wildbrumby) if they were interested, and we have been a fixture on the October long weekend ever since, and we love it.

What kind of music do you play?

I think it was thanks to Monika we became “The Wildbrumby Oombahbah Band”. Over the last 20 years we have gathered more and more German/Austrian/Oompah style music. When we found out Monika grew up in Kufstein, and we had “Kufsteinlieder” in our music, we really had to add that to the list. I believe it has words about how beautiful the town is, and it is a lovely lyrical waltz. There are some common themes (in the list): “If the water in the Rhine was Golden Wine”, “You can’t be true to me”… largely related to drinking and what can happen after drinking!

But you don’t have to drink like the composers of those songs to enjoy a day at Wildbrumby. One of the great things is that we so often have an enthusiastic audience, but it is never rowdy nor unpleasant as you can get at other venues. It is always a great family day with Oompah music, dancing, singing, kids running about, and great schnapps, beer and food.

Are there games for the kids?

We usually bring some toy horses and have a mad kids’ “gallop” that gets faster and faster. There are always percussion instruments to play, and we find the under 7’s are often the most enthusiastic. This year our bass drummer is away, so there is an opportunity for someone to play along with the band. Sometimes we have kids who play an instrument sit in and follow the music while mum and dad relax on the grass and have a schnapps or something from the Wildbrumby “Hoffbrauhaus”.

And, of course, there is always a “Chicken Dance” for young and old, waltzes, polkas, and a “Schuplattler” – a bit of group thigh slapping, best done with a Tyrolean hat.

We plan a bit of a sing along…Edelweiss, and some songs in German…and just doing your best with the pronunciation is fine!

The event details:

Dress up and come along. As one of our songs translates: “I’d rather wear a Tyrolean Hat”. We are outside, and people are coming and going as they please.

And it’s all free, put on by Wildbrumby.

The band will play from 11:30 to 4:30 on Sat 4 October, so come along and enjoy (and pray for good weather).

Chris Wall

Wildbrumby Oombahbah Band (know at other times as Cooma District Band)      

           

Bookings for lunch and afternoon tea are highly recommended. 

To reserve a table at the stillhouse cafe, we recommend you contact the distillery by phone between 10am and 11am, or 3pm and 5pm on (02) 6457 1447.

You can also email info@wildbrumby.com.