It looked like rain October 3 - overcast skies and sprinkles tried to doom the afternoon's festivities. But an emerging front of ghosts, goblins and other hilarious characters scared away the rain for Jefferson Lab's first Oktoberfest.

The Jefferson Lab Activities Group (JAG) hosted the event in the field behind the Residence Facility for Lab employees, family members and users.

Food, music, games and contests kept everyone busy throughout the afternoon. As in years past, the Halloween costume contest was a visual treat. For those few hours the Lab found itself home to the popular Hercules and Gabrielle, Winnie the Pooh's sidekick Eore, farm twins, Mother Nature, Indian princesses, a tooth fairy (complete with real dental jewelry), a court jester, a leprechaun, a beekeeper (complete with bees) and a variety of heavenly angels, McDonald's food items, sorcerers, fortune tellers and witches!

Winning Grand Ghoul (best overall costume) was John Hansknecht dressed as a blue-tinged steward from the ill-fated Titanic. Magnificent Monster (most original) went to Dave Kausch making a fashion statement as road kill. Dave Sideman won the Mummy Award (most unidentifiable) as Cousin It. Cynthia Sloane's Devil Biker Babe outfit took Spookiest honors, and Silliest costume went to Fred Dylla sporting the mad professor look.

Hot German sausages (grilled by a team of hard-working volunteers), sauerkraut and German potatoes warmed even the coolest ghouls as the sun bowed into the west.

Several rousing rounds of pumpkin hurling kept the crowd pumped up. Joe Beaufait and Phil Adderley took first and second, respectively, for their long distance throws. Bill Kozma earned Messiest Throw, Pam Turk made the Most Comical Throw while John Carlton earned Wimpiest Throw and Claus Rode got the Skunk Award.

The "Trouble Makers" showed off their brawn and teamwork in the Tug-O-War pull-off. Winning hands down was team captain Randy Hartman, Tom Eden, Bill Gunning, Mark Taylor, Tom Lincoln and Jennifer Daknis.

JAG chair, Dave Williams, was very happy with the turn out for the event. "I think everyone had a great time," he said afterward. A special thanks goes to Shannan Kyte and Dave Kausch (as the Oktoberfest subcommittee) for all the planning and leg work they did preparing for this event. I also want to thank Kelly Hanifan for all her work on the games. They did a tremendous job and we owe the success of our Oktoberfest to them and all of our great volunteers.

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