Watersound Fountains hosts Oktoberfest, alongside Freeport market vendors

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Fall weather is finally here, leading some folks to turn their attention to Oktoberfest. Watersound Fountains retirement home in Freeport hosted an October event on Thursday with the Freeport market vendors.

On top of all of the German food, the vendors set up booths offering flowers, engraved pieces, and lots of other merchandise.

So they could enjoy Oktoberfest, and do a little holiday shopping. When Watersound Fountains retirement home opened in March, coordinators set a goal of putting the facility on the map.

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"So I wanted to bring an opportunity to connect our local small businesses and things with our community here because it is new. Let our members and residents here be able to have an opportunity to shop the local vendors in the area and support local businesses," Community Life Director Michelle Graves said.

Residents had the chance to walk through a series of booths filled with items such as jewelry, bags, cookies, gift baskets, and more.

Many of them did some early holiday shopping.

"They seem like they enjoy it because it's a variety is a chance for them to buy some early Christmas presents. But it's also seeing people that they may never, ever see before, just meeting a total stranger and just being able to communicate with somebody, you know, because you never know how much family they have here," Freeport Farmers Market owner Gary Parks said.

People were also able to enjoy a variety of German cuisine and beer.

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"So we're having the traditional bratwurst and sauerkraut apple dumpling schnitzel. We're having German beer," Parks said.

They also had caramel apples, beer cheese, and German potato salad. Coordinators say since some residents in the facility can't leave they thought they could bring the farmers market to them.

"Because we do go out a lot in the community, but I think it's a nice way for them to kind of shop at their own leisure and be at home and also get to know the local vendors and business owners on a more personal level," Graves added.

Coordinators say that this event was a great opportunity for residents to meet others in the facility while enjoying a taste of Germany.