Oktoberfest returns for another weekend
<p>Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Nicole Holdener struggles to keep up her glass during the ladies stein-holding competition Thursday night during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. Holdener placed second in her heat. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.</p>
<p>Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Eight contestants compete in the first heat of the ladies stein-holding competition Thursday night during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.</p>
<p>Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Otto and Deanna Ratz dance Thursday night during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.</p>
<p>Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake A contestant prepares for the men's log-sawing contest Thursday night during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.</p>
<p>Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake An Oktoberfest attendee loads sauerkraut onto a bratwurst Thursday night during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.</p>
<p>Scott Skerlock grabs steins for the women’s stein-holding competition Sept. 27, 2012, during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. Thanks to events such as Oktoberfest, Whitefish had record resort-tax collections during fall 2012.</p>
<p>Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake Scott Skerlock holds the saw for the log-sawing contest Thursday night during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 in Whitefish, Montana.</p>
After a busy opening last week, Whitefish Oktoberfest continues this weekend at Depot Park downtown.
The festival, which is presented by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, offers something for everyone, from live music to crazy contests to German beer and bratwurst.
Admission is $3 per day — with a few exceptions. Kids under 12 get in for free, if they are accompanied by a parent. On Saturday, Seniors’ Day, adults age 60 and older can get in for free until 5 p.m.
Saturday is also the annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser put on by Children’s House Montessori School. The park will open at 10 a.m. that day for family fun and a chance to help out a local school.
The Western Senators will provide live music under the tent all weekend, and the festival offers a chance for the daring to vie in stein-holding, log-sawing and keg-throwing competitions.
For additional information about the event, visit whitefishoktoberfest.com or call the Whitefish Chamber at 862-3501.