First of two Oktoberfest weekends ready to polka
Bavarian culture will converge on Whitefish this weekend, with beer, brats and a bevy of brass instruments at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest.
The event covers two weekends, with traditional German food, drinks and contests this Thursday through Sunday and again Oct. 7 through 9. It will take place under the “Oktoberfest Bigtop” in Depot Park in downtown Whitefish.
Proceeds from the event support the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the second annual event.
The Chamber opted to expand this year’s Oktoberfest from one weekend to two after its wild success in 2010, Executive Director Kevin Gartland said.
“We were pretty much packed last year,” he said, adding that the 4,000 people who attended were double what the Chamber had anticipated.
“Friday night and all day Saturday, the tent was just packed. [This year] we were faced with either expanding the tent, which we couldn’t do, or expanding to two weekends.”
Other Oktoberfests around the country can run for five or six weekends, Gartland added — but he said couldn’t bear to eat bratwurst for that long.
The Chamber has ordered 6,000 bratwurst for this year’s festival, up from 4,500 brats last year.
“Last year we went all the way to Libby and Polson” and bought bratwurst from every supermarket in town, Gartland said. “All of Northwest Montana was bratless.”
While some might think first of beer when they hear the word “Oktoberfest,” Gartland was quick to state that the festival is more about traditional German culture than booze.
“It’s not a drinking festival; it’s a Bavarian festival,” he said. “There’s lots of traditional dancing and music.”
That music will be provided by three lederhosen-clad bands. Florida-based Europa will take the stage the first weekend. The Western Senators from Canada and local favorites the Bavarian Echoes will also perform.
The festival will include German and non-German food for sale, a selection of German beers on tap and art, crafts and souvenirs available for purchase. The event also includes contests such as log-sawing, keg-throwing, stein-holding and waitress races.
Families are invited to attend every day, Gartland said.
“Afternoons are very family-friendly, although after 7 p.m. it’s pretty much an adult scene,” he said.
Children’s days are planned for both Saturdays of Oktoberfest, with special crafts planned with Stumptown Art Studio, bounce houses and children’s chicken-dance championships. Dachshund races also will take place this Saturday.
While part of the event’s purpose is to draw out-of-town visitors to Whitefish during the shoulder season — Gartland estimates 20 percent of last year’s crowd were tourists — locals are encouraged to attend as well. Thursday is Locals’ Night, when Flathead Valley residents get in for free by showing their IDs.
Otherwise, admission is $3 per day. Children under 12 get in free if they’re accompanied by an adult.
Highlights of the event include:
Thursday — Locals’ Night; music by Europa.
Friday — Bratwurst-eating contest.
Saturday — Kids’ Day, with crafting, bounce house, chicken dancing and more; Dachshund races; the Bavarian Echoes perform.
Sunday — Waitress races.
Oct. 7 — Music by the Western Senators.
Oct. 8 — World keg-hurling championships.
Oct. 9 — Seniors’ Day (anyone 60 and older gets in free); North Valley Volksmarch, a relaxing 5K walk downtown; Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest contest.
For a complete schedule of Oktoberfest events, visit www.whitefishoktoberfest.com. For additional information, call the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce at 862-3501.
Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.