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Oktoberfest was on tap Sunday at The Esplanade. The celebration, which is to benefit the Marco Island YMCA’s preschool, had a bounce-slide, sand art and hot dogs for children.

Sounds of the Yesteryears and deejay Steve Reynolds kept attendants entertained with music, dancing and singing.

“We play authentic German music, and we have song sheets,” Songs of the Yesteryears tuba player Jana Boger said of the sing-along-style music. “And we play marches, polkas and waltzes for a good Oktoberfest.” Her bandmates are pianist Gary Boeger, clarinetist Bob Schroeder and drummer Trimble McColough.

Vergina’s, Bayview, Guy Harvey’s and House of Mozart served German beer and food like sauerkraut, strudel, schnitzel, pretzels, bratwurst, potato pancakes and sauerbraten.

“We’re enjoying Oktoberfest, my mother is the beer runner,” said Linda Hess who attended the Oktoberfest with her two friends and 81-year-old mother ( who was delighted to be their ticket-takers and get the beers, Hess said). “We’ll probably get a little bratwurst and sauerkraut, there’s all kinds of booths over there with German food. And we love the sing-along sheet and the people doing the polka.”

Proceeds from the event benefit the pre-school financial assistance program at the YMCA, CEO Cindy Love said. “Fifty percent of our preschool is subsidized, so we have to make up the difference.

“We have two sponsors: the M&I Bank and Russell and Anders Attorney at law in Naples, and Marco Community Bank has helped out with their tent,” Love said.

“We’re hoping for about 2,000 to 3,000 people today. And I think we’re getting a pretty good crowd,” Love said. “It’s a nice day, breezy ... . There’s German beers — and American — all kinds.”