Oktoberfest event searching for next Hop Queen
Hop Queen Rikki Wallawine taps the ceremonial first keg of the Great Northwest Oktoberfest at Depot Park while folks line up to get a free stein of beer from the keg. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot file photo)
Organizers of the 10th annual Great Northwest Oktoberfest are searching for the next Hop Queen.
This year’s Oktoberfest is Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5 at Smith Fields. A Hop Queen is crowned each year to reign over the Great Northwest Oktoberfest celebration organized by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.
The Hop Queen gets a $500 cash prize, an authentic German dirndl, complimentary brats and beer throughout the fest, a magnificent floral “Hop Crown,” and even a one-night stay at the Firebrand Hotel.
The Hop Queen represents Oktoberfest for the next year, promoting Whitefish, Oktoberfest and Montana-made beer. The Queen is also responsible for making sure Oktoberfest-goers get “into the swing of things” by encouraging them to dance, saw logs, hold steins, throw kegs, climb mountains and so more.
Applicants must 21 years of age or older and be lover of “all things hoppy” — including hops, beer and Oktoberfest, just for starters.
The 2019 Hop Queen Pageant begins with the Hop Queen preliminary at the Firebrand Hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and concludes the following night at Oktoberfest.
For more information, call the Whitefish Chamber at 862-3501 for an official candidate form, or visit WhitefishOktoberfest.com and fill one out online.