Let’s Celebrate Bavarian Style!

Oktoberfest is the celebration of an important part of Bavarian culture. The Munich Oktoberfest dates back to 1810. Here in Montrose, we have been bringing you the festival for 41 years. On Saturday, Oct. 6 we continue to offer the Oktoberfest you know and love including bringing traditional Bavarian sausages made by Schreiner’s Fine Sausages.

During Oktoberfest, the 2400 block of Honolulu, known as the “family fun zone” will feature rides, games, carnival foods, face painting, a kids craft area, and the Kona Ice Van. This year the Bellies, Babies & Bosoms “family tent” will provide a changing table, breastfeeding chair and wipes.

The Bavarian Stage has been re-located to Wickham Way. Find authentic Bavarian entertainment from the German American Brass Band, D’Oberlander Dancers and, of course, the Chicken Dance, the Lil’ Mister & Lil’ Miss, Best Dressed Dog, Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest and Stein Holding contests, which all offer cash prizes and gift items from local merchants. There will be performances from Revolution Dance Center and we added a crowd sing-along. Hoist your stein while sitting on festival benches in front of the stage or while dining in Dinner Area “B.”

The 2300 block has the combo booths and wine, pretzels and snack booths, beer trailers, ticket/ID, German beer, German cakes, Kettle Korn and the USC Keck-VHH med tent. This year includes “Info Alley” with local organizations having booths to share their info, including the Montrose Shopping Park Association. Title sponsor Java Monster is bringing its new Java booth to the festivities.

Ocean View’s Monster Energy stage will offer yoga and youth activities for the kids – yoga by Spiritual Heart Yoga, and youth activity by Surface Fitness. Tickets at Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/y9reqkrg. This stage starts at
2 p.m. with DJ Chloe Soleta and the Oktoberfest kick-off including the inaugural Mustache & Beard Contest. Entry for this event found on Eventbrite https://tinyurl.com/y9qru4ya. It’s sponsored by Lynn Thatcher of Montrose Barber Shop. The Monster Energy Stage is also where you will find live music and the evening highlight, the band Past Action Heroes.

In the likes of the Bavarian Festival, we added a Tent Experience to the 2200 block. This is a pre-ticket beer garden offering Brewyard Beer Company, Henson Brewing Company, Monster Energy, Bavarian pretzels provided by Thee Elbow Room, and more. Entry begins at 2 p.m., serving at 3 p.m. with acoustic music provided until 4 p.m. by Sojourn. At 5 p.m., speakers will pipe-in live music from the adjacent stage so ticketholders can enjoy the bands, including Past Action Heroes. Other perks: a charging station, lawn games and Solar Luxe Porta Potties. A $75 value, early bird pricing starts at $55. Tickets for this experience are on Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/ybjjtv4q.

See the event website https://oktoberfest.montrosechamber.org/.

Another special addition is Junior Ambassador Isabella Rennacker, 8, who is in third grade at Verdugo Woodlands. She is an animal whisperer, practicing on her dogs, Roxy and Thumper, along with two fish and two guinea pigs. Isabella loves to act and this summer went to Glendale Center Theater Acting camp. She is smart, sharp, which made striking reasons to request her part in representing the MVCC.

When asked about the “ambassador” role, she replied: “I’ve been to a couple of ribbon cuttings with my mom and the last one I attended I asked if there were any female ambassadors. That’s where I met Victoria, the executive director, and Emma, senior ambassador. I like seeing women in leadership because it’s important to be strong and graceful.”

Isabella accepted the offer because she likes “talking to people, and hopes to meet new people and help the community.”

You may have already seen or met Isabella at the local pet stores, animal hospitals and the children-based businesses. You will see Isabella at the youth activity on Oktoberfest morning at 10:30 a.m. Come meet her on Saturday, Oct. 6 and discover the family aspects of Oktoberfest.