The Oktoberfest kickoff includes two singers for the German national anthem (including Karl)

The festgrounds were packed, as usual, for the opening ceremony and Tapping of the Golden Keg at La Crosse’s Oktoberfest on Friday.

Although the 63rd annual fest began on Thursday with the opening of festgrounds and the Torchlight Parade, the traditional opening happened late Friday morning, and besides bringing in the new fest royalty for 2024, there was another passing of the baton at the event.

For decades, festgoers heard 1991 Festmaster Karl Friedline sing the German national anthem during the Golden Keg ceremony. Friedline was 94 when he passed away in May, but at this year’s keg tapping on Friday, Karl was there by way of a recording.

As they did during the years Friedline sang in person at the ceremony, much of the fest crowd chanted “Karl, Karl” in his honor when it came time for the anthem. After the recording of Friedline was played, Marty Frank finished the song. Frank assisted Friedline during the 2023 opening, which Karl had hinted might be his last.

Oktoberfest continues through Sunday. The Maple Leaf parade from the north side to downtown will be the main attraction on Saturday morning.