GRAND JUNCTION, Colo (KKCO) -- Brats, beer, music, and more. Everyone was German Saturday!

The 31st annual Oktoberfest took place on 6th and Colorado in downtown Grand Junction. The event attracted over fifty vendors and thousands of fans statewide. One vendor just moved to Grand Junction from Africa.

Visitors enjoyed authentic German food, dancing, a Hansel and Gretel contest, even Weiner dog races! Alpine Echo, a band that met at Oktoberfest ten years ago, also performed Saturday.

Dozens of businesses donated resources and personnel to make the event successful.

"The German culture, though, is the best part, like the music, and the people out there dancing, and doing the chicken dance, the polka dance; it's really nice to see all these guys coming together and working so hard," said Kristin Brethauer, an event organizer.

All proceeds from the event benefit local children, community scholarships and veterans. Event organizers say over 15,000 people attended last year's event.