Who are the ‘Hay People’? CCPS students learn about Oktoberfest

CULLMAN, Ala. — With the annual Oktoberfest celebration kicking off in Cullman, young Cullman City Schools students had the opportunity to learn a bit about the history, culture and tradition of the beloved Cullman festival that celebrates the area’s German heritage.

Cullman City Primary School (CCPS) students participated in a unique lesson via a partnership between Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism and CCPS. The lesson was built around the story “The Magical Adventures of Hans and Frieda Hay,” which introduces students to the tradition of hay people and their connection to Oktoberfest. As locals well know, the large “Hay People” — constructed from large bales of hay and decorated to look like a German couple —are a staple of Cullman’s Oktoberfest atmosphere.

Students engaged with the story using conversation guides, copies of the book, and stuffed Hans and Frieda figures. These tools helped them make connections between the story, familiar local landmarks, and the history of Cullman’s German heritage.

“In STEM class, students sketched, designed, and built their own hay people. They practiced estimating the height of their creations, measuring accurately, and then comparing their results with classmates,” CCPS STEM & Math intervention teacher Anna Anderson explained. “This focus on finding the difference ties directly into grade-level math standards. Science skills were developed through hands-on problem solving as students tested structure and stability. Social studies connections reinforced learning about community traditions and local history, while digital literacy and computer science standards were supported through planning, collaboration, and guided reflection.”

Students also received a flyer highlighting Oktoberfest children’s activities, helping connect classroom learning with community celebrations. Thanks to the work of Mr. Ross Jochum, who helps set-up the hay people each year at CCPS, students were able to make even stronger connections to the hay people display they see on campus, giving deeper meaning to the history and tradition.

“The encouragement of our principal Dr. Elizabeth Shaddix and vice-principal Tyler Skinner for outside-the-box partnerships allows creative lessons like this one to take place, bringing special and memorable learning experiences to students,” she added. “This collaboration highlights how CCPS and CPRST work together to create experiences that tie academic standards in math, science, social studies, and digital literacy to local culture, giving students both strong learning outcomes and a sense of community pride.”