More than 1,200 servicemen and women from Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) set new attendance records as they soaked up the suds and festivities during the annual OKTOBERFEST 2008 “Picnic in the Park” event on Oct. 2. The fifth installment of the event was sponsored by the base Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) arm, providing base sailors, their families and Department of Defense civilian employees with plenty of food, fun and entertainment. According to Navy officials, OKTOBERFEST 2008 boasted the largest attendance to date. “Our MWR goal is to pay tribute to all our service members and civilian personnel for their commitment and sacrifices while serving our country accomplishing Naval Base Point Loma’s mission goals,” said Dick Grube, MWR director for Naval Base Point Loma. “This includes both those in uniform, their supporting family members and the civilian population who all comprise the NBPL team.” A key to the harvest-themed event was a focus on quality of life issues for military personnel and their families and included a barbecue, interactive games, a Bavarian band and other activities. Among the entertainment highlighting the Navy shindig was a performance by Hilby, “The Skinny German Juggler Boy,” who dazzled the crowd with unorthodox fire juggling and comedy. Multiple military community support providers joined hands to bring the event together, along with several commercial sponsors that included Lincoln Military Housing, Budweiser, Johnsonville Farms, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Universal Studios, Armed Forces Band and SDG&E.