Oktoberfest begins this week

It’s time to dust off your lederhosen, grab your best beer stein and break out your dancing shoes — the Great Northwest Oktoberfest is set for Sept. 25 through Oct. 4 at Depot Park in downtown Whitefish.

The fifth annual festival brings the best of Old Germany and the wild West together for six days of authentic Bavarian food, drink, music and dancing, along with the waitress races, a host of kid- and family-oriented activities, and an array of audience participation contests.

Oktoberfest bands include Europa!, The Western Senators and Bavarian Echoes.

Thursday Sept. 25 is local’s night when all Flathead Valley residents get in free of charge. The night includes a ceremonial keg-tapping and the Hop Queen Pageant, followed Friday night by the crowning of the first-ever Oktoberfest Hop Queen.

Each night at Oktoberfest includes hourly contests such as log sawing, stein holding, keg hurling, mountain climbing, bratwurst eating and waitress races.

 Saturday Sept. 27 will be kids day with bounce houses, face painting, and the kids chicken dancing championships.

Saturday, Oct. 4, Oktoberfest teams up with the Childrens’ House Montessori School for their annual Pumpkin Patch, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Oct. 4 is also seniors day, with folks over 60 admitted free to the Oktoberfest bigtop and beer garden from noon until 5 p.m.

Admission to Oktoberfest is $4 for adults, with kids under 12 (accompanied by parents) free.

For more information, call 862-3501, or visit online at www.WhitefishOktoberfest.com

Oktoberfest hours are:

Thursday Sept. 25, 5-11 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 26 5-11 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27, noon to 11 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 2, 5-11 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 3, 5-11 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4, noon to 11 p.m.