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(Enlarge) Richard Hamilton of Crownsville and Heidi Sturniolo of Odenton show off their German steins during Oktoberfest on Friday. (Photo by Brian Krista)

"It's a tradition that we have," said Susan Renninger, former second vice president of the Enlisted Spouses Club.

Renninger said she has attended Oktoberfest for years.

Renninger and her husband, retired Sgt. 1st Class Dallas Renninger, were among the people who made their way through the rain and puddles to attend the installation's Oktoberfest Friday evening at the Pavilion.

The annual four-day celebration of German culture, food and music began Sept. 22 and drew hundreds of people. The event featured a German band, dancers, carnival rides, bratwurst and plenty of beer.

"We're here to get a good German dinner, beer and hear some good German music," said Air Force Lt. Col. Lou Nolan of U.S. Cyber Command, who came with his wife, Korrina. "We like to support what goes on at the installation."

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein tapped the keg Friday with the help of Brig. Gen. Hasso Koertge, commander of the German Armed Forces Command-U.S.A./Canada, and Maj. Gen. Ted Nicholas of the National Security Agency.

"I hope everybody is having a good time," Rothstein said. "It's a special day for us to build community between Germany and the United States as we move forward."

After the keg tapping, Tobi Cisin, a member of the Blastapelle Alte Kameraden, a German band from the Fairfax Band Association in Virginia, played traditional German mountain and farm songs on an alphorn. The band then performed other traditional German music.

As the weather cleared over the weekend, people came out to enjoy carnival rides, a karate demonstration and the Pinto Dance Group, which performed traditional German folk dances.

Cryptologic Tech Network 1st Class Petty Officer Zeno Ty and his wife, Maho, decided to come to the event after having a great time at the National Night Out earlier this year.

"We wanted to enjoy the weather while its not raining," said Zeno Ty as he purchased a lemonade for his 4-year-old son, Lendros.

Spc. Daniel Gardenier, a journalism student at the Defense Information School, stood in line with his 2-year-old son Tres for the Ferris wheel Sunday afternoon.

"I wanted to stop by to have an other memory with my son," Gardenier said. "It's a family-fun experience."