Forty-four years after Cullman’s first official Oktoberfest, the festival is adding a new tradition this fall — and putting a 12-year-old Cullman girl at the center of it.

Veronica “Ve” Harding has been selected as Cullman Oktoberfest’s first-ever Kinderbürgermeister, a new youth ambassador role inspired by a longstanding German tradition.

The Kinderbürgermeister, German for “children’s mayor,” gives a young member of the community a symbolic place alongside the festival’s adult Bürgermeister, following a tradition found in towns across Germany.

Harding was selected from a pool of applicants following a written questionnaire, audition video, and in-person callbacks with a review committee from the Oktoberfest planning team.

“We wanted to bring the Kinderbürgermeister tradition to Cullman because it captures something we believe deeply: that Oktoberfest belongs to every generation in this community, including our youngest citizens,” said Nathan Anderson, executive director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism. “This role has real history and meaning behind it in Germany, and we’re proud to give Cullman’s kids a genuine seat at the table, not just a title. Veronica represents her peers with the same pride and heritage our festival was built on.”

For Harding, this new role comes naturally. The festival has been a part of her life for years.

Harding lives in Cullman’s Historic District and completed confirmation at St. John’s. She grew up attending Oktoberfest and taking part in many of its traditions — riding the carousel each year, walking in the opening parade, teaching the crowd the chicken dance and polka, and wearing dirndls with her family.

She has also performed on the Oktoberfest stage with Ballet South and is currently a member of Heirlooms’ Junior Singers, where she is learning a song in German to perform.

“I’m so excited and honored to be Cullman’s very first Kinderbürgermeister!” Harding said. “I can’t wait to represent the children of our community, meet even more kids, and help make Oktoberfest a celebration they feel a part of.”

Harding also loves the stage — a place where she has spent plenty of time during Oktoberfest.

“I love performing, but even when I’m not on stage, my favorite place to be is always near it,” Harding said. “I love that a stage brings people together.”

Her parents, Will and Lauren Harding, said the honor reflects their daughter’s connection to her hometown.

“We’re incredibly proud of Veronica,” they said. “She truly loves this town and its traditions and has grown up surrounded by the people, places, and celebrations that make Cullman special. Seeing that genuine love recognized in this way means so much to us.”

Harding will serve alongside Edgar Veigl, this year’s adult Bürgermeister, with both serving as festival ambassadors throughout the fall.

“Representing the German tradition of the Bürgermeister has always meant a great deal to me,” Veigl said. “Knowing that our youngest citizens now have a chance to represent their peers in that same tradition makes it mean even more. Veronica carries the spirit of this festival exactly the way it should be carried.”

Daniel Wyatt, CPRST festivals and special events director, said the new role builds on Oktoberfest’s longstanding focus on families.

“Oktoberfest has always been a family event, but this makes that official,” Wyatt said. “The Kinderbürgermeister is proof that this festival is just as much for the kids as it is for the adults. Veronica is going to be a fantastic face for that all season long.”

As Kinderbürgermeister, Harding will appear in character videos throughout the fall, take the stage during opening ceremonies Thursday, Oct. 1, help lead kid-friendly Oktoberfest contests and make other appearances throughout the festival.

Cullman Oktoberfest runs Oct. 1-4 at Depot Park in downtown Cullman. This year’s celebration is adding a fourth day for the first time, along with expanded entertainment headlined by Manuela Horn and The Bräts.

The Kinderbereich kids zone will include festival favorites such as a 110-foot Ferris wheel and a double-decker carousel. Admission is free.

Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.

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