The Seymour Oktoberfest is all about traditions, and those begin with the opening ceremonies each year.

Music provided by the Seymour High School marching band filled the air prior to the start of those ceremonies Thursday night on the north stage.

Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman took to the stage to proclaim Oct. 4, 5 and 6 as the official days of the 46th annual Seymour Oktoberfest.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

The winners of the prince and princess contest, sponsored by Beta Kappa Chapter 697 Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, were then announced.

Dayton Smith, 10, was crowned prince, and Anniston Rennekamp, 8, was crowned princess. The two, along with princess contestant Kinley Bishop, raised about $3,500, organizer Beth White said.

The funds will be distributed to local, state and national nonprofit organizations, sorority President Brenda Campbell said.

“Members of ESA are dedicated to helping children with illnesses and special needs and other who are less fortunate,” she said.

Smith said he had a bake sale and a yard sale, set up a few lemonade stands and put out a donation can at B2 Bikes and Boards to raise funds.

He said he was thankful to everyone who contributed to his cause of helping those less fortunate.

“I know there are kids out there with lives way different than ours, and they need our help,” he said. “I want to help kids that have completely different lives than we do.”

Rennekamp said she put a donation can at her father’s veterinarian office and was able to collect a good sum of money toward the effort.

“We ended up getting a lot of money,” she said.

Rennekamp also had a message for those whio helped her raise money for charities. “I want to say a big thank you.”

The band, led by director Kevin Cottrill, played a number of tunes in front of the north stage before the ceremonies to warm up the crowd.

The band played its highlights from the marching season, which featured numbers from several popular Broadway musical productions. The group also played pop tunes and a compilation of songs by British Rock group Queen.

Gabe Baker, a freshman who plays percussion, said his first experience playing at the Oktoberfest was fun.

“I really enjoyed it because the energy was really high and it was a lot of fun,” he said. “I like to be active, and being in the marching band is a great way to be active and have fun along the way.”

The band played the school song and the National Anthem to begin the ceremonies.

Booth winners were announced, including the first and second place for best food, best craft and best new booth. Winners also were announced in the window decorating contest.

The Seymour Firefighters Union 577 placed first for the best food booth. The organization has become known throughout the years for its tenderloin. On Thursday evening, a line stretched from the windows of that booth south across the CSX Railroad tracks.

Matt Stuckwisch, who has been a firefighter with the Seymour Fire Department for three years, said about 10 to 12 firefighters prepare the food and serve it each day.

He said the firefighters cut the meat, tenderize it and bread the sandwiches, making a special, one-of-a-kind item at the festival.

“We have our hands in it, and it’s something the community is getting it from us,” he said. “It was pretty neat to win first place.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Seymour Oktoberfest contest results

Prince: Dayton Smith

Princess: Anniston Rennekamp

Food booth: Seymour Firefighters Union 577, first; Psi Iota Xi sorority, second

Craft booth: Me & Mo/Sugar Coated Candy, first; Hairwraps by Christy, second

New booth: Blu Crew Baseball’s Boricua Caribbean Taste

Window decorating contest: SIHO, first; Lea Boutique, second; Child Care Network, third

Baking contest

Cakes: Donna Fitzgerald, first; Michelle Nichter, second; Sherry Fisher, third

Pies: Heather Brott, first; Gloria Fisher, second; Shara Calhoun, third

Kids: Anastasia Fields, first; James Philip-Wynne, second; Lorelei Fields, third

[sc:pullout-text-end]