Annual Oktoberfest was successful

On the last weekend of September, the Rotary Club of the Moriches held its 17th annual Oktoberfest on the grounds of Camp PaQuaTuck. It was a beautiful and very successful weekend, led by longtime Rotarian Peter Trania.

There was authentic German food and, of course, many different types of German beers. There was live German music and dancers, as well as a carnival for the enjoyment of the children.

All proceeds from the event went to benefit the mission of Camp PaQuaTuck, a Moriches Rotary camp for special-needs children and young adults.

Trania, being partly of German ancestry, has fashioned the event that takes place annually in Munich, Germany, for well over 200 years. Trania himself and family have gone to Munich many times to attend Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest originated in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxon-Hildborghausen. Munich officials marked the union with horse races, public feasting and music, all in an effort to bring the entire community together as one, and has continued since. The festival runs from mid-September through the first Sunday in Oktober. The event draws more than 7 million people each year from Germany and around the world.

With the help of the Moriches Rotarians, family members and friends, this year’s event was an overwhelming success.

As in the case of the Munich event, it’s a great time to bring the Center Moriches and surrounding communities together in celebration and fellowship. I, and all of the members of the Moriches Rotary Club, would like to thank all who came out to support the Rotary Club and the camp.

We also send our special thanks to all of our generous sponsors who consistently donate to the Rotary Club’s charitable endeavors and the community’s as well.

Thanks to those who donated prizes for our raffle and food for the food tent. All of your generous support for this event has made it possible for the Rotary Club to make its largest donation to the camp in its 17-year history.

The Moriches Rotary Club would also like to give specials thanks to all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly over the long weekend to make Oktoberfest 2025 the success it was.

Thank you, Peter Trania, for all of your hard work and dedication and bringing this great event to life.

See everyone next year.

As always, the Rotary Club of the Moriches is always looking for community members interested in joining us in service to our great community and the community at large.

The club meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at JC’s restaurant at Pine Hills in Manorville. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m.

Come join us and see what an asset you can be to our community.

You can find the Moriches Rotary at: Morichesrotary.org. Or call Tom Chieffo at 631-294-5365