Page 19 - Cullman Oktoberfest 2021

honoring mrs. elaine fuller
Words By: Georgia Hendrix Shockley Photos provided by: Cullman County Museum & Harbin family
Many people have contributed much of themselves to make Oktoberfest the grand celebration that it is today. One person who stands out for their time and dedication is Mrs. Elaine Fuller. She was born on April 11, 1947 to Mr. Fred Little and his wife Willene in Birmingham, Alabama. She lived in Morris, Alabama until she moved to Cullman with her husband, Dr. Wayne Fuller. She is now the mother of three adult children and three grandchildren. This year, one of her grandchildren has made her a very proud grandmother. Her grandson, Casey Harbin, will be representing Oktoberfest as Burgermeister for 2021.
Mrs. Fuller stated that she became the director at Colonel Cullman Museum in 1984 and continued that career path until 2018. She said her favorite memory during that time was just making sure people had what they needed and touring families and school children through the museum. She loved her job there. She said she always cleaned up and locked the museum at the end of the day. Oktoberfest brought much joy into her life but it also added some long work hours to her schedule. “Sometimes it was midnight before I would leave,” she told me.
In 1985 she began working with the planning committee
for Oktoberfest. I could hear the lift in her voice when we chatted about the celebration. She liked everything about it she said, but her favorites were the music, the German food and the kick off banquet before it all started.
Her daughter Suzanne, laughed with her as they reflected on her favorite memory of all. Suzanne said she could remember her mother baking cupcakes during Oktoberfest for the purpose of crowning a new Miss Oktoberfest. Mrs. Fuller would put a pretzel in one of the cupcakes. All of the fair queen representatives got their own personal treat. The one who found a pretzel in their cupcake became the new “Miss Oktoberfest!” Now that’s a fair way to pick a beauty queen for sure.
We wish to honor Elaine Fuller for her time, love and amazing effort she put into ensuring that Oktoberfest was everything that it should be. It is a special honor indeed that her grandson is tapped as Burgermeister this year.
From the citizens of Cullman County and those of us who love Oktoberfest;
Thank you Elaine Fuller
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