Sentimental jacket returned after it went missing during Oktoberfest event

A denim jacket that represents much more than just fashion has been returned to its rightful owner. CTV’s Jeff Pickel finds out why it’s so special.

A man has been reunited with a sentimental jacket that went missing during Oktoberfest festivities.

Kaz Zimmermann’s denim jacket is far more than just a piece of clothing.

“It’s a German soccer tradition to get jean jackets and fill it up with patches and personalize it,” Zimmerman explained.

While most of the patches are connected to German soccer club Bayern Munich, it also includes a Canadian flag, a Detroit Redwings emblem and a patch that simply says, ‘I love beer.’

Zimmermann said when he wears the jacket, he feels connected to his family.

“This patch here is my brother’s hometown village club that he’s the president of. So [it has] a lot of sentimental value.”

It is also a staple of his Oktoberfest outfit. Zimmermann wore the jacket to the Concordia Club on Saturday night, but shed the layer when things started heating up on the dancefloor.

“Half-an-hour goes by and someone says to me, ‘Where’s your jacket?’ It was right there, and it’s gone. My heart just dropped,” Zimmermann said.

His first thoughts flew to fans of other German soccer clubs.

“Dortmund is our rival in the Bundesliga, I thought maybe there was a Dortmund fan who grabbed it and threw it in the garbage or something,” laughed Zimmermann.

After a sleeplessness night, he put a post on social media asking for the safe return of his prized jacket.

“I think the post just went viral. All my friends shared it.”

The Concordia Club also helped spread the message.

“We heard about the incident and Kaz actually posted that it had great sentimental value to him,” Rob Kerr, president of the Concordia Club, said.

In less than 48 hours, the jacket had been found and returned.

“Monday just about 6 p.m., it ended up on the desk outside the restaurant, no questions asked.” Kerr explained.

According to Kerr, no one saw who returned the jacket and no one has come forward.

Zimmermann said he has no hard feelings towards whoever took the jacket.

“If you ever want to come see me, I’ll buy you a beer for returning it.”