Oktoberfest reshaped and ready to go in Whitefish
Paul Juchmes drinks from his stein during the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish Thursday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)
The 2021 Great Northwest Oktoberfest show will go on after all in Whitefish.
After notifying the public that this year’s festival was canceled, the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce is taking the festival to town Sept. 23 to 25.
The Great Northern Bar & Grill, Casey’s and the Montana Tap House each will be hosting a day or night of this year’s Bavarian activities.
“Oktoberfest may look a little bit different this year,” said Chamber Director Kevin Gartland, “But it’s gonna be the real deal … great German beer, music and dancing, along with all of the usual Oktoberfest nonsense — stein holding, log sawing, chicken dancing and the coronation of a new Hop Queen.”
Advance ticket sales are available at the Chamber office and at each of the clubs hosting the festival.
The 2021 Great Northwest Oktoberfest kicks off Thursday, Sept. 23, from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Great Northern Bar & Grill with “Locals Night.” Everyone showing a Flathead Valley ID will get their first Bayern or Hofbrau pint free.
Friday, Sept. 24, the action moves to Casey’s from 5 to 11 p.m. with music, dancing, stein holding and Round One of the 2021 Hop Queen Pageant.
Festivities move to the Montana Tap House Saturday, Sept. 25, from noon to 8 p.m. There will be German music by Europa, the Hofbrau Stein Holding Championships, performances by Schuhplattler Gruppe Alpenrose; and Kids Day activities from noon to 3 p.m.
Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door, with kids 12 and under free on Saturday at the Tap House. For more information and an hour-by-hour schedule of events, visit whitefishoktoberfest.com