Whitefish Oktoberfest canceled due to Covid — again
Scott Skerlock grabs steins for the women's stein-holding competition during Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish in this Sept. 27, 2012, file photo. (Daily Inter Lake)
Whitefish's Oktoberfest celebrations have been canceled for a second year in a row due to Covid-19.
The Whitefish Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel the event, which had been scheduled to run Sept. 23-25 and Oct. 1-2 in Depot Park.
The chamber said concerns about rising Covid-19 hospitalization rates in the community and restrictions on the event by the city made it impossible to stage a profitable fundraising event.
Chamber Director Kevin Gartland said that in order for the event to comply with the conditions of the city's special event permit, attendance would have to be cut by more than 60%.
While the main event has been canceled, the chamber is still working with a handful of local businesses to hold Oktoberfest events. The chamber said hopes to organize stein holding, log sawing, polka dancing and keg tapping events in bars and restaurants.
Next year's Oktoberfest event is set to run from Sept. 2 to Oct. 8.