At Beaumont’s Oktoberfest, A Fire Captain Becomes The Festival’s 'Mayor'

BEAUMONT, CA — Give Christian Linnemann a microphone and a crowd of Oktoberfest visitors, and the Beaumont fire captain has a different assignment: Get people to join the fun.

His preferred tool? Sarcasm.

"I speak that fluently!" he says.

Linnemann, 51, serves as the ceremonial "mayor" or Bürgermeister, of Beaumont’s King Ludwig’s Oktoberfest. The role makes him the festival’s master of ceremonies, encouraging visitors to take part in activities and helping keep the celebration moving.

"My goal is to get people attending to participate in our activities," he said. "I really enjoy getting people to participate in all our fun activities."

Away from the festivities, Linnemann works as a Cal Fire captain and paramedic in Riverside County and serves on the local recreation and park district’s board. But at Oktoberfest, now in its 36th year, he dons an outfit he has spent years developing and takes the microphone.

Linnemann moved to Cherry Valley in 2003 and Beaumont in 2005. He became a regular at the festival before answering a newspaper advertisement more than a decade ago seeking a replacement for the outgoing Bürgermeister, who had held the role for 22 years.

2026 marks Linnemann's 12th year as the "meister."

"Since we moved to the area, I would always come to the Oktoberfest. So I thought, 'Hey, I can do that!'" he said.

His first year brought a learning curve. He shared the duties with another person, teaming up to cover the weekend.

"The thing that stands out is the chaos that it was," he said. "Having the microphone and just getting out of your comfort zone, getting people to participate."

His festival wardrobe has evolved, too. Linnemann said he has spent years working on his outfit. A particularly meaningful piece is his hat.

"I have Oktoberfest pins on it that date from 1925," he said. "Over 100 years of history."

He changes outfits throughout the weekend, returning to his campsite at the park for short breaks before heading back to the celebration.

The German tradition also has a family connection: His father immigrated to the United States from Germany with his family in 1957.

For Linnemann, much of the joy comes from the people who return each year.

"We have so many that come in from out of town just for our event," he said. "It is so wonderful seeing them every year and just interacting with them."

Those connections keep him coming back.

"It is such a great community experience and it is truly amazing that this is the 36th year of this event," he said. "I am truly honored to be part of it."

His recommendation for visitors is to make time for the wiener dog races.

"These are a crowd favorite and a do-not-miss," he said. "The races are even more fun to watch if you have a drink in one hand and a pretzel in the other!" he said.

And anyone wondering how much of his festival persona is an act need only ask.

"I am the same with a microphone as without!" he said.

Oktoberfest weekend: Hours and events

The 36th annual King Ludwig’s Oktoberfest continues at Noble Creek Park in Beaumont from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27.

Visitors can enjoy German food, a beer garden, live music and traditional competitions.

Saturday’s entertainment includes a Dance Spectrum performance at 4:20 p.m., when dozens of dancers from the Pass Area will take the floor to showcase their talents in eight German-themed performances.

The wiener dog races are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday, Sept. 26 (2 p.m. to 11 p.m.)

• 2-4 p.m.: Queen’s Carry signup and qualifying.
• 4:20 p.m.: Dance Spectrum performance.
• 4:30-8 p.m.: American Bavarian Brass Band.
• 5 p.m.: Children’s strudel-eating and pretzel-whistling activities.
• 5:30 p.m.: Queen’s Carry competition.
• 6:30 p.m.: Favorite German/American Award.
• 6:30 p.m.: Wiener dog race.
• 7:30 p.m.: Log-sawing competitions for women, men and coed teams.
• 8:30-10:30 p.m.: High D Boys band.
• 9:30 p.m.: Stein-holding competitions for children, women and men.
• 10:45 p.m.: Beer chug.

Sunday, Sept. 27 (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

• 1-6 p.m.: American Bavarian Brass Band.
• 3 p.m.: Log-sawing competitions for women, men and coed teams.
• 3:30 p.m.: Wiener dog race.
• 4 p.m.: Stein-holding competitions for women and men.

For tickets and additional information, visit the festival’s website.

Noble Creek Park is located at 390 Oak Valley Parkway.