It’s Polka Music, Brats & Brew
At The 3rd Annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest
By Dave Cooper
Although the thermometer is slowly displaying evidence of seasonal change, summertime temperatures still persist in the Valley of the Sun. Maybe one final weekend getaway to northern Arizona is just what you need. Mix in cold beer and sizzling bratwurst, the bouncy rhythm of polka and other live music and you’ll enjoy an authentic, old-world German experience at the 3rd Annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest.
This year’s Flagstaff Oktoberfest is an all-day outdoor event scheduled for Saturday October 1 at Wheeler Park in beautiful downtown Flagstaff, AZ. This festive celebration features a line-up of interactive entertainment and family fun. The day begins at 11:00am as Big Willie and the Polka Meisters take the stage to kick off the day’s events. More traditional Oktoberfest activities continue at 1:00pm with a Yodeling Contest followed by the distinctive sound of Alpine Longhorns at 1:30pm.
At 2:00pm there will be a brief pause in music performances as especially enthusiastic festival-goers dressed in colorful lederhosen, dirndls, Alpine hats and other Bavarian-style fashion will participate in the Costume Contest. This should be quite an entertaining portion of the day’s activities.
Live music resumes at 3:00pm with the oompa oompa sounds of tubas and accordions as Polka Katzan entertains. At 5:00pm, an event of gastronomical proportions is sure to captivate the audience when ravenous participants compete in Satchmo’s Brat Eating Contest. Sauerkraut is optional. Alka Seltzer, too. Rounding out the day’s live music schedule at 5:30pm is Flagstaff favorite, The Buzzard Brothers, performing an acoustic-style set of classic Blues and Rock standards.
In addition to live music and culinary treats, a variety of craft vendors will be on hand. There is also a Root Beer Garden for kids. Event organizers have teamed with the local YMCA, Brookside Chocolate, and Mug Root Beer to create a fun zone where kids can play. Free root beer floats will be available while supplies last.
Admission to the 3rd Annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest is either a $5.00 donation or a pair of of eyeglasses to benefit the Flagstaff Sunrise Lions Club whose mission is fighting blindness. Learn more about this great event at FlagstaffOktoberfest.com.