Kathy and Kevin Shurte of Fort Lauderdale don't have to travel to Munich to catch the spirit of Oktoberfest.

``There is nothing happier than good German beer drinking music,'' Kathy Shurte said. ``Even if you don't know the words you can dance. If you can't dance, then drink. If you can't drink -- just enjoy the company.''

The Shurtes were dancing under a tent Oct. 3 at Jaco Pastorius Park, turned massive biergarten for Oakland Park's Oktoberfest Celebration. Kathy, clad in a traditional German peasant dress called a dirndl, and Kevin, in leather work shorts called lederhosen, joined nearly 5,000 revelers for the all-day event.

Oompah bands, including the Swinging Bavarians from Orlando, played music for the polka, mazurka, schottische, waltz and landler dancing. The Miami-based Original Auerhahn Schuhplattler Dancers and Edelweiss Schuhplattlers obliged with shows that filled the dance floor.

``I'm English, Irish, Norwegian, French Dutch and German, but it's the German that makes me dance,'' said Michael Clauss, 33, a 20-year veteran Schuhplattler.

Chicken dancing plus beer barrel races, stein races and dachshund races kept partiers on their feet.

And authentic German-brewed Tucher beer, and bratwurst, knockwurst, schnitzel and sauerkraut, served by the Ambry German-American Restaurant, filled their bellies.

Ken Hagen of Miami, a trumpeter with the Swinging Bavarians, said he loves to show off his German ancestry through music -- and October is the time to do it.

``South Florida is a multicultural community and that includes the Germans,'' Hagen said. ``When we see people of other backgrounds get up during Oktoberfest and dance and have fun with German music it makes us play better.''

Here's the good news: Oktoberfest lasts all month -- and the Shurtes, the Schuhplattlers and the Swinging Bavarians are far from hanging up their feathered Alpine hats.

``For us, Oktoberfest goes on for weeks and kicks off the holidays. We're booked,'' Kevin Shurte said.

This weekend's biggest Oktoberfest parties will be celebrated Friday and Saturday at Fritz and Franz Bierhaus in Coral Gables, The American German Club of the Palm Beaches in Lantana and The American German Society of Hollywood.

There are two more weeks of specials at German restaurants and parties at local clubs.

Here's a list of eateries and events sure to make you raise a mug to prosit die gemütlichkeit (toast that cheerful feeling):

• Old Heidelberg Restaurant: 900 SW 24th St., Fort Lauderdale. Nightly Oktoberfest entertainment and special seasonal beers through Oct. 31. Guests can sup from a menu of authentic German foods including spiessbraten, jager schnitzel and Bavarian roast duck plus special beers such as Spaten Oktoberfest and Erdinger Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest mixed plate dinner features four types of sausages, red cabbage, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. Oktoberfest highlights include: Ukrainian Dancers 7-9 p.m. Sunday; Original Auerhahn Schuhplattler Dancers 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 23; and a beer-drinking contest with Carolyn, a Bavarian trumpeter, 6-11 p.m. Oct. 24. Call 954-463-6747 or visit www.old

heidelbergdeli.com.

• The Ambry German & American Restaurant: 3016 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The restaurant features an $19.95 all-you-can-eat Oktoberfest platter through Oct. 31. Lunch and dinner guests can fill up on nonstop plates of knockwurst, bratwurst, roast pork and gravy, plus sauerkraut, home fries and salad bar. House specialties include schweinebraten, sauerbraten, wiener schnitzel, and calves liver Berlin. Imported beers include Spaten Lager, Weissbier and this year's Tucher Oktoberfest. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday; 5-10 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday. Call 954-771-7342 or visit www.am

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