The Bavarian Summer Festival opened yesterday at Lakewood Park with kickoff ceremonies featuring a tapping of the first keg of beer and a parade throughout the park by Belgian horses drawing an old-fashioned beer wagon, German bands, dancers from Wursburg, Germany, the fest master, craftsmen and other festival participants.

Over 5,000 festivalgoers were on hand to launch the 10-day round of events.

The honors of sampling the first stein of German lager went to state Sen. Fred Hobbs of Pottsville, the area’s highest ranking public official and a proponent of such regional promotions.

Festival President Kermit Dietrich predicted record-breaking crowds, far in excess of the 146,000 who enjoyed the event last year.