By Ted AYALA

If you were looking to start your diet this weekend, you might want to postpone for a week. The Montrose Oktoberfest, the community’s longest running festival, is returning to Honolulu Avenue this Saturday beginning at noon.

Now in its 36th year, the Montrose Oktoberfest is set to expand its presence. Alpine hats and alt Deutsch aesthetics will converge across the 2200, 2300 and 2400 blocks of Honolulu. Four entertainment stages will be set up with a wide variety of music.

Melinda Clarke, executive director of the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce (MVCCC), has been on overdrive the past month putting the finishing touches on last minute details before the scent of grilled bratwursts fill the foothills.

“It’s been a blast, let me tell you,” she said.

Number one on the things Clarke is most excited for this year? The return of authentic German beers courtesy of Ace Beverage.

“They’re coming in straight from Munich just for us,” she said. “We’ll also have the usual Budweiser, Bud Light, and Shock Top as well. But these German brews are going to add a great authentic touch to our Oktoberfest.”

And in case authentic German lagers and bratwursts don’t already have you twirling in a ländler, the news that Schreiner’s Fine Sausages will also be providing German-style potato salad to accompany your celebration of all things Teutonic should make Oktoberfest guests giddy.

“Wally Schreiner is making it just for us,” said Clarke. “It’s going to be like you’re right there in Bavaria.”

Along with the usual oom-pah music and family events, some new additions to the festival’s entertainment, including a belly dancer at 3 p.m., should keep the proceedings fresh.

Even local dads will get a chance to rock out when “dad rock” band Dad Beat jam out at Oktoberfest.

Last year, Clarke estimated attendance at 25,000 people. According to her, last year’s was the most successful Oktoberfest to date for the MVCCC. This year she’s hoping to top those numbers.

“We’ve worked so hard on this Oktoberfest,” said Clarke. “This is going to be such a special year for us. I know our community and die-hard Oktoberfest fans are going to love it.”

The Montrose Oktoberfest will take place Saturday, Oct. 5 across the 2200, 2300 and 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue. Festivities begin at noon, last beers are served at 10 p.m., followed by the festival’s end at 11 p.m. Admission is free to the public. For more information, contact the MVCCC at (818) 249-7171 or by going online to http://www.montrosechamber.org/oktoberfest.html.

  Ted Ayala