Let the Oktoberfest games begin!

Today, Sept 22, is “Locals Night” at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest at Depot Park in Whitefish. All Flathead County residents (with valid ID) get in free of charge.

Today’s Opening Night extravaganza kicks off two weekends of Oktoberfest, featuring authentic German beer, food, music and dancing, with entertainment provided by Europa — one of America’s most sought after Oktoberfest bands — as well as Pech und Schwefel, direct from the Austrian Alps. On Saturday afternoons, enjoy the Flathead’s own German orchestra, the Bavarian Echoes.

Tickets are $8 — kids under 12 are admitted free with a parent — and are available only at the Main Gate. There’s plenty of room in the new and improved Depot Park festival grounds, with plenty of free parking available in and around the downtown area.

Enter one of Oktoberfest’s hourly audience participation contests, like log sawing, stein holding, keg hurling or chicken dancing. Kids Chicken Dance contests are held at 2:45 p.m. Saturdays.

This weekend’s schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 22: 5 to 11 p.m. 


Friday, Sept. 23: 5 to 11 p.m.


Saturday, Sept. 24: noon to 11 p.m.: “Family Day” — Kids 12 and under (with parents) get in free for a full afternoon of festivities outdoors in the Oktoberfest Beer Garden.