2013 Great Northwest Oktoberfest

If you can't make it down to the 5th Annual Montana Brewers Fall Festival this Saturday, you can still enjoy a wildly popular and festive Oktoberfest in Whitefish, Montana. The 2013 Great Northwest Oktoberfest kicks off today and runs through Saturday September 28, and then it picks up again from October 3-5, all at the Depot Park in downtown Whitefish. See why there are traditionally more than one weekend of celebrations for an Oktoberfest, in this article. 

Tonight is "Locals Night," where Flathead Valley residents get in free. Admission for daily entry is $4 otherwise. Saturday is "Family Day," with special kids' activities from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday October 3 is "Food Bank Night," with a donation of two canned goods you get your first beer free. And two other special events will take place on the final day of the Oktoberfest. 

The beer available at the Oktoberfest include both local and traditional offerings:

From Great Northern Brewing Company:

• Great Northern Oktoberfest

• Wheatfish (Hefeweizen)

• Stammtisch

From Germany’s Warsteiner:

• Pilsner (Premium)

• Dunkel (Dark Lager)

• Oktoberfest (Marzen)

Wine, water & soda will also be available for non-beer drinkers.

For Fun and Games:

• Keg hurling 

• Stein holding (Mens' & Womens')

• Log sawing (Mens' & Womens')

• Brat-eating contest ("the wurst minute of your life!")

• Bavarian Bobblehead Races

• Swingin' Sausage Races

• Kid's Chicken Dance Contests [Sat. Sept 29 & Oct 5 at 3 p.m.]

SPECIAL: Waitress Races - October 3rd - 7:45 pm

Flathead Valley's finest waitresses will compete for a $250 team cash prize in this stein-holdin' beer totin' head-to-head competition.  It's fast, it's furious and it's loads of fun to watch and to participate in!  Amateur and professional 3 member wait-staff teams can compete in the relay races.  So gather your co-workers and friends and make a team!  Entry fee includes admission to Oktoberfest on race day and beer coupons!  

Entry forms are available at the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce (307 Spokane Ave. #103) or on the Chamber's website: http://www.whitefishchamber.org/pages/Oktoberfest/

For Food:

German Brats

Hot German Potato Salad 

Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage 

Sauerkraut 

German Sausage Corndog

Pretzels

Dessert: Choice of German Chocolate Cookie and Apple Strudel

In addition, the Cafe Max Soup Company will be on hand offering:

Soups: Beer Cheese & Bacon, Chicken Corn Chowder and a vegetarian choice daily.

Prost!

Image courtesy 2013 Great Northwest Oktoberfest website.