Polka Band for Church and Parish Oktoberfests

Appalachian Freunde Polka Band is a German polka trio from Asheville, NC. We play church and parish Oktoberfests, where kids, parents and grandparents share the same tent. Our show gives each of them a song to sing and a reason to dance.

Where have we played church Oktoberfests?

• Grace Episcopal Church, Camden, SC: a Sunday in September 2025 and a Sunday in September 2026
• Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Fayetteville, NC: October 2026

Grace Episcopal booked us a second year. A repeat booking tells you how the first show went.

Why does church music feel like home to us?

Church music is part of our story. Diane Fields sang in choirs, played handbells and chimes in church, and started and led two praise bands. Mike Fields plays handbells and chimes too. Adam Bennett played in church groups. In 2009 his church formed a band for its own Oktoberfest, and he went on to play polka music across the Southeast for 13 years.

What does the show look like for all ages?

Our sets mix polkas, waltzes, sing-alongs and American songs people know. Crowd favorites include Edelweiss, The Happy Wanderer, Roll Out the Barrel, Country Roads and Sweet Caroline. Every show has the Chicken Dance. We dance with the kids. The show also has cowbells, sign cards and a conga line. Ein Prosit, the German toast song, comes around in every set.

Günther von Cluckenstein, our 8-foot inflatable chicken, joins some shows. Meet him on our Chicken Dance page. See the songs on our sing-along page.

What does the church need to provide?

We bring our own sound system, and Mike runs it. We add lighting when the event needs it. We need two outlets on one 20-amp circuit. We arrive about 2 hours before the start to load in. Three players fit a parish hall, a tent or a stage. For an outdoor festival, plan a covered or indoor backup spot in case of rain.

How do you book the band for a church Oktoberfest?

We play Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Our peak season runs August to October, so check open weekends on our calendar first. Send us your date, your city and your event. We send you a quote and a contract. Return the signed contract and the deposit within 7 days, and we confirm the date. Our guide to booking an Oktoberfest band lists the questions to ask any band, and our booking FAQ covers the rest.