In Sanford awaits a taste of Bavaria.

A man who is comfortable in his lederhosen celebrates Germany's Oktoberfest year-round.

"Gemütlichkeit! The sense of well-being while enjoying good food and drink, surrounded by friends and family," is how Theo Hollerbach sums up the dining experience at The Willow Tree Café.

The German native from the black forest region in southwest Deutschland shares his family's heritage through good food and authentic music.

"(I’m) sticking to the roots," Hollerbach said with pride. "I grew up in a village of 1,000 people."

Today, the mural in his German restaurant features Theo's grandfather who made sausage that became legendary with locals.

"They joy we brought to people, and the joy it brought us, I remember as the happiest time in my life," Hollerbach said.

Theo has recreated that feeling in Sanford.

While the bells have tolled for Oktoberfest 2016 in Munich (the event wrapped up in early October), the party in Seminole County continues year-round in this café that is distinctly German. Like The Willow Tree's European inspiration, folks gather around large tables for the large helpings.

“We focused on the schnitzel tonight. And the potato pancakes," Hollerbach said. The menu is vast. In fact, the menu feels like a German newspaper.

With a live polka band playing several nights a week, the tradition of "passing the boot" ensues. A glass stein in the shape of a glass boot is passed down a row of tables, where visitors take a swig of beer.

"You have to act funny and make lots of noise," Hollerbach tells the crowd before awarding one table the glass boot filled with a pale "bier."

The newspaper menus also feature overwhelming portions of dessert on the back page.

"I am a big fan of bienenstich, which is a bee sting cake," Hollerbach said. Black Forest chocolate cake and apple strudel are also popular.

If you're not in the Oktoberfest spirit yet, Hollerbach's wife can outfit you across the street.

An expansion of The Willow Tree sits across the street, selling apparel. Here, authentic dirndls (German dresses) hang on racks, along with lederhosen for men.

Yet, even Hollerbach admits, the red leather lederhosen hot pants are breaking down barriers.

"That's for the ladies!" he said of the Daisy Duke-like shorts, patterned after a man's lederhosen.

No matter how you are dressed, Hollerbach is happy to welcome you.

"We want them to remember they had a few good laughs and some darn good German food while they were at it," he said. "This is my passion."

Note: Oktoberfest spills into the streets of Sanford on Thursday, Oct. 13, and Friday, Oct. 14. Get details here.

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