Over 200 years ago, there was a royal wedding in Munich. Everyone in the city was invited. The party, which occurred in October, was so epic that the tradition lived on – not only in Bavaria, but all over the world.
Beginning Sept. 27, the Great Northwest Oktoberfest once again takes over Whitefish’s Depot Park. It’s the third year for the festival, which is organized and sponsored by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, and chamber president Kevin Gartland believes it’s only getting better under the big top tent.
“We’re really thinking that this is the year we’re going to blow the top off,” Gartland said.
The festival is a celebration for the arriving fall season, he said, and a time for Flathead Valley residents to gather and let loose after the busy summer season. It consists of two weekends of Bavarian fun, including polka music, traditional German food, multiple competitions and plenty of beer.
The first weekend takes place from Thursday, Sept. 27 through Saturday, Sept. 29. The fun picks back up on Oct. 4 and finishes on Oct. 6. The chamber decided to eliminate Sundays from the festival’s schedule since they’ve been lightly attended in the past couple years, Gartland said.
Starting up in 2010, the Great Northwest Oktoberfest has offered valley residents and shoulder-season visitors unique activities and a chance to enjoy the oncoming fall season. With a heated big top tent providing shelter from the elements, it’s a festival for all weather, Gartland said.
Activities include keg-hurling competitions, stein-holding contests, log-sawing races, waitress races and dancing. This year, the Polka Purists will be offering dance lessons on Thursday and Saturday for those who are unfamiliar with the traditional oom-pah-pah music, Gartland said.
Music will be provided by the same bands as last year, he said, due to the overwhelmingly positive response and popularity. The first weekend will feature tunes from Europa, a nationally recognized band that plays multiple Oktoberfests throughout the country.
“They’re the real deal, in lederhosen and with a German singer,” Gartland said.
The following weekend, Canadian favorites the Western Senators will take over the big top. It happens to be the weekend of Canadian Thanksgiving, Gartland noted, and should be a fun event with our neighbors to the north.
Gartland also said Oktoberfest is gaining notoriety throughout the valley, with people calling the chamber to ask about how to procure lederhosen and other traditional garb.
“More and more folks are really getting into the spirit of things,” he said.
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Dawn Lev fills her plates with food – including traditional German bratwurst – provided by the Craggy Range during the local’s night Whitefish Oktoberfest kickoff at Depot Park in downtown Whitefish last year. Lido Vizzutti | Flathead Beacon |
Traditional food will include German bratwursts, sauerkraut, sweet and sour red cabbage, soup, pretzels and more. Beverages will include brews from the Great Northern Brewing Company and Warsteiner.
During the day, there will be special events for families and kids. Saturday, Sept. 29, is Family Day, and from noon to 4 p.m., kids can enjoy bouncy houses, face painting, craft activities and a chicken dance competition.
The next Saturday – Oct. 6 – families can pick out the perfect pumpkin starting at 10 a.m. at the annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser, hosted by the Children’s House Montessori School.
Oct. 6 is also Senior’s Day, and anyone over the age of 60 gets in free until 5 p.m.
Since Oktoberfest is truly a “local-heavy event,” Gartland said, Flathead Valley residents get in free on Thursday, Sept. 27, with identification. Otherwise, admittance to the big top runs $3 per day.
The first two years of the festival were about getting it out there to the public and growing, Gartland said. Last year’s attendance was about 4,000 people, up from 3,000 the previous year, he said. This year is about fine-tuning the experience for people, and ensuring a good time during harvest season.
“Everybody we’re talking to is just primed and ready to go,” Gartland said.
For a full list of events and more information, visit www.whitefishoktoberfest.com.