Beer flowed, bratwurst never ran out and the sound of polka music filled the air at the annual Wurstfest celebration in New Braunfels. 

The 52nd annual Wurstfest welcomes guests of all ages and all backgrounds to Landa Park from Nov. 2-11.

The festival consisted of four main areas: the music tent, the food and drink vendors, the carnival and the riverfront.

Das Grosse Zelt, or The Big Tent, housed polka musicians such as Die Bayriche 7 and Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express but nobody stole the show like The Alex Meixner Band.

Grammy-nominated accordionist, pianist, trumpeter, bassist, drummer and singer Meixner is no old man’s oompah player.

With endless energy and talent, Meixner kept everyone on their feet during his continuous sets during the first weekend of Wurstfest.

Mixing it up from the usual polka, Meixner mixed in popular songs such as Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and a German version of The Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”

For many, the music alone was enough to draw them to Wurstfest.

Andrew Andersen, 23, of San Marcos, Texas said it was the live music that brought him to the festival that he had not attended since childhood.

“It’s cool to see old people get down!” Allie Middleton, 23, said. 

Both Andersen and Middleton were encouraged by friends to attend and said they would certainly return next year.

Local vendors such as the New Braunfels Little League and Hill Country Chorus provided the food and drinks. Hungry Wurstfest attendees could find anything from the expected bratwurst and sauerkraut to deep-fried Kool-Aid and even a pork chop on a stick.

The beer selection was plentiful, providing local favorites like Shiner and German imports like Paulaner.

The kids that were begrudgingly dragged to a polka and beer festival found delight in the carnival complete with a Ferris Wheel, a fun house and the carnival staple, the centrifugal force-powered Star Ship. 

Preston and Lisa Rowan, 51, of College Station, Texas who had not attended Wurstfest since 1983 say that it only gets more fun with age.

“I think I enjoyed the music more,” Preston Rowan said. ”I had a great time with family and friends.”

Lisa Rowan, who could not think of any negatives about the festival, said her favorite part was the quantity and wide selection of the beer.

Wurstfest attendees could take a break from the chaotic atmosphere by relaxing on the grassy lawns on the Comal Riverfront. Many visitors camped or parked their RVs across the river from the fest for a front row spot to the festivities.

No matter if they were actually German or not, Wurstfest attendees of all types became instant polka fans and could be seen yelling “Prost!” to the person next to them whether they knew them or not.

One of the musicians in The Alex Meixner band summed up the general ambiance of Wurstfest 2012 when, after asking who in the crowd was German, followed that up with: “It’s Wurstfest, so we’re all German.”