LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The 52nd annual Oktoberfest in La Mesa kicked off on Friday with food, music and tons of activities.

All weekend long, festivities continue as thousands celebrate German culture with traditional songs and popular food.

“My potato pancakes are darn good," said Margit Ganitt as she served traditional German cuisine. "The apple strudel is the best we’ve had in years.”

Ganitt, a German native, is serving a taste of her home country in Southern California.

“I love the Oktoberfest," she said. "It gives me a chance to come back to my roots.”

The La Mesa Oktoberfest brings more than 5,000 guests each year.

“I think it is so important to celebrate the different cultures that make up San Diego, and German is one of them,” said Beth Block-Weiss, the event manager

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