For many years Sanders, a retirement community in Gloucester courthouse, has held an Oktoberfest celebration for its residents and their families. This year, however, the community is going a bit bigger.

Sanders has partnered with Gloucester Brewing Company and Main Street Preservation Trust to host an Oktoberfest the public can enjoy on Saturday, Oct. 5, complete with vendors, food, music and, of course, beer.

“It’s just grown,” said Sanders Marketing Director Barbara Weldon.

Weldon and nurse manager Angie Oliver collaborated to expand the community’s Oktoberfest celebrations so all of Gloucester could not only enjoy the festivities, but also learn what Sanders is all about.

“It just brings awareness to where we are and what we have to offer the community,” said Oliver about the event.

“We’re probably the biggest hidden gem in Gloucester,” she said.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and will coincide with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event, which begins at 9:40 that same morning at Botetourt Elementary School.

“All of the residents are excited about this,” said Weldon about both events.

More than 30 vendors have signed up to participate, most of which are local and have handmade items for sale. Proceeds from the $25 vendor registration fee will benefit the Sanders Activity Fund for patients.

“They really want an Elvis impersonator to come,” said Weldon.

Though most spots for shop vendors have already been claimed, Weldon said there is still room for a few more food vendors. There will be authentic German food for sale at Oktoberfest from a menu created by Sanders Chef Martin Clebowicz. Staff will also be selling cotton candy, pretzels and popcorn.

“We’ve got an incredible team here,” said Weldon.

Currently, Sanders is looking into music options for the festival.

“I would love to have a traditional German band,” said Weldon.

There will be a bus shuttling people to and from Oktoberfest and the Main Street Center parking lot due to limited parking at Sanders.

“This is my first event of this size,” said Weldon.

Though this is the first year the Sanders Oktoberfest will be open to the public, Weldon and Oliver hope to plan this as an annual event and expand it in the future. They want Sanders to become known for this festival.

“I would like this to be The Event at Sanders,” said Weldon.

There is no fee to enter the festival. “We just want Gloucester to have fun that day,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a success.”

“This could be a yearly thing,” said Oliver.