EDITORIAL: Oktoberfest: You're invited!

You don’t have to drink beer and you don’t even have to know how to polka to have a good time at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest that starts today in Whitefish. There are plenty of family-oriented activities and audience participation contests, or you can simply sit on the sidelines and watch the crowd go crazy.

The six-day celebration — it spans this weekend and next — has become an ideal kickoff to the fall season in the Flathead. Locals Night is tonight, with free admission if you show your ID. Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Director Kevin Gartland said last year’s Locals Night drew 1,400 people, a record crowd.

Last year, attendance was up 20 percent over the year before, indicating the Oktoberfest is well on its way to becoming one of the Flathead’s premier events.

From a bratwurst eating contest to keg hurling to a children’s chicken dance, there’s something for everyone. Family Day is this Saturday, and Seniors Day is Oct. 3. A Bavarian Business Mixer on Oct. 1 will give the business community a chance to connect under the big top; admission to the mixer is free with your business card.

We hold our steins high to the Whitefish Chamber for orchestrating a wonderful fall festival.

Manufacturing success

The Flathead economy is becoming more diverse and more robust each passing year. A large part of that diversity has come about from innovative manufacturers opting to start or move their operations to our scenic county.

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, along with a number of partners, is highlighting the manufacturing sector in a month-long program that kicked off Tuesday with a chamber luncheon.

We encourage our readers to sign up for one or all of the tours being offered over the next several weeks. A brewery, winery and distillery tour is being held Friday, with a second one scheduled on Oct. 9.

On Oct. 2, there will be opportunities to visit a variety of manufacturing sites, including Applied Materials, Nomad Global Communication Solutions, ViZn Energy, Proof Research and several food and beverage manufacturers.

Space is limited so sign up by registering at www.mfgday.com (use the Find an Event tool!) or by calling Kate at 758-2801.

And don’t forget the annual Flathead Timber Tour on Oct. 22. This year, the tour will include a visit to the site of the Garden Rim Fire of 2003, part of which again burned this year.