SAXONBURG — Despite the discord in the months preceding the events, Sprankle’s Octoberfest 2023 drew thousands to the small borough on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Doug Sprankle, owner of Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market and organizer of the Octoberfest, and dozens of others attended recent borough council meetings to oppose a prospective ordinance they say would have prohibited Octoberfest from being held.

On Saturday, no one would know any issue occurred, as Octoberfest operated at full capacity, with added features, at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company grounds.

Food booths selling tempting treats — from barbecue to Bavarian cake to baked potatoes — lined the German-themed festival alongside beer and cocktail vendors.

“This year was definitely one of the hardest years to put on Octoberfest,” Sprankle said, “but, truly, because we have so many people that lean in and participate in the brand and the event, we were able to do it.”

He said one of the most popular features of Octoberfest was the World of Reptiles booth, where visitors could view Karma, a 20.5-foot female reticulated python.

Hadley Kennedy, education specialist for Reach Out Reptiles, of Jefferson Township, said the World of Reptiles exhibit at Octoberfest displayed 13 snakes and one five-footed frog.

“Plus an unknown quantity of cockroaches,” Kennedy said. “Cockroaches are good for educational purposes because they can’t hurt the kids who touch them and they are practically indestructible. And we use them for feeders.”

She said the 200-pound Karma is definitely the most popular snake in the exhibit.

“She’s the biggest snake in Pennsylvania that we know of,” Kennedy said.

The most common question about Karma is regarding her diet, which is one thawed baby pig per month.

The pigs come from a pork farm where baby pigs that don’t make it are frozen and sold to Reach Out Reptiles, Kennedy said.

Those who viewed the immense and peculiar-smelling Karma can consider themselves lucky, as she is not usually among the snakes that travel to events.

“She is making a special appearance today,” Kennedy said.

Outside the World of Reptiles was the Kinderland section of Octoberfest, where kids could play in bounce houses, throw an ax, pop balloons for prizes or smash a whipped cream pie in the face of a Knoch High School varsity basketball player.

Ron Pflueger, president of the Knoch Boys Basketball Boosters, said the booth has seen players get sticky at Octoberfest since the festival began three years ago.

The fundraiser normally nets the boosters about $500, as it costs $5 to “pie” a player.

Zane Pacek, a center on the team, took five pies to the kisser by noon Saturday.

“I laugh to myself, then I close my eyes and mouth and just wait for it,” Zane said of his technique when he is being approached with a pie.

Pflueger said the funds raised go toward travel outfits, food and other items for the team.

He said Sprankle donates space for Knoch sports boosters at Octoberfest.

“It’s great for the community,” Pflueger said of the festival. “Doug Sprankle does so much for our town.”

Bill Gillespie, mayor of Saxonburg, agrees.

“Mr. Sprankle does so much for this community, and there’s so much he does that people don’t see,” he said.

Gillespie said the festival represents the highest revenue days for many businesses on and around Main Street.

“This is a fantastic event,” he said. “People in this area are the best. They support all of our businesses.”

He also gave kudos to the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, whose members work tirelessly to set up and tear down the festival.

“There are members of this fire company who take vacation time to volunteer at this event,” Gillespie said.

Christine Berardo, of Cheswick, perused the booths at Octoberfest while her husband competed in the fire company’s cornhole tournament.

“It’s very nice,” she said of the festival. “They have so much going on.”

Berardo said she planned to have a funnel cake and some barbecue while waiting for her husband to finish the tourney.

“Everything smells so good,” she said.

Brian and Nadine Kundrod brought their young children to Octoberfest, but planned to enjoy themselves as well.

“We like the music, the beer and the food,” Brian said. “It’s a good time all around.”

The Kundrod tots sported stuffed viking hats, including one with yarn braids on daughter Emsley, 3.

“It’s all-around fun and they make it family-friendly,” Nadine said of Octoberfest.

Krista Davis, of Butler, also enjoyed Sprankle’s Octoberfest on Saturday.

“I like to look at the crafts and food,” said Davis, who had her eye on the funnel cake booth.

She said she is particularly drawn to booths selling fall items or things for dogs that would please her labrador/hound mix, Riley.

The cooler temperatures and low humidity also made the festival pleasant for Davis.

Tony LeDonne, who celebrated his 12th birthday on Saturday, planned to indulge in a gyro at Octoberfest.

“And I just like to walk around and look at everything,” he said.

Heather Patterson, of Brackenridge, breeds snakes at the home she shares with her husband.

She even sports a tattoo on her left forearm of a sassy western hognose snake.

Patterson came to the festival to see Karma, and she was not disappointed with the huge native of Southeast Asia.

“She was really cool,” she said. “I loved her.”

In addition to the snakes, Patterson also enjoyed the birds rescued by the farm sanctuary that set up at Octoberfest.

“We’re already talking about coming back next year,” Patterson said.