Two days of beer and bratwurst

By Chris Wyman

VERNON — After 26 years at Minerals Hotel & Spa, Vernon’s annual Oktoberfest changed venues to the area surrounding the new 55,000-square-foot Red Tail base lodge at Mountain Creek.
More than just the location changed at the 27th Annual Oktoberfest, as the activities offered to families and their children grew vastly to include gondola and pony rides, the Soaring Eagle ride, zip lines, batting cages and more. The event also doubled from only one day to two.
On Saturday under stormy skies, the musical offerings started with The Philadelphia German Brass Band, also known as “Die Deutsche Blaskapelle von Philadelphia.” Grammy Award winning Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra immediately followed them with their polka dancing tunes and a series of popular songs.
Over the course of the two-day event, some seven orchestras performed. The HSV Bavaria Dancers performed for the crowds on both Saturday and Sunday and encouraged guests to join them on the dance floor.
Billowing smoke from oversized grills filled the air throughout the course of the weekend. Traditional Bavarian food was served including roasted pig and lamb, potato pancakes, knockwurst, pork weiswurst, Black Forest cake and strudel.
To wet the palates of the thousands of beer lovers who came, a variety of more than a dozen authentic German and domestic beers were available. A brigade of waiters sported lederhosen and feathered felt caps as they balanced their serving trays and attempted to find their way through the seemingly endless crowds.
Attending waitresses wore traditional dirndl dresses. The dresses are typically full-skirted with a tight bodice, low neck, and short, full sleeves.
The sumo-wrestling ring remained a hit with festival-goers with sisters battling sisters and boys attempting to take on their dads. Hayrides also worked around the outer perimeter of the crowds.
Carnival rides were new this year as were tarot card readers who offered visitors a glimpse into their futures.
According to resort spokeswoman Chelsea Vandergroef, this year’s crowd was record-breaking with more than 12,000 people attending. As a benefit to the community, part of the weekend’s profits were donated to both the Vernon Fire Department and the town’s ambulance squad.
Traditionally, in Bavaria, the Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year during late September into early October. In Bavaria, it is truly a national event with millions of people attending the various area celebrations. The very first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to commemorate a royal wedding.