10th year for PdC Oktoberfest
By Correne Martin
Whether you’re German in ethnicity or only for the day, the 10th Annual Oktoberfest is a must-see growing celebration of German heritage in Prairie du Chien.
A parade, live music, family-friendly activities and contests, authentic beer and food highlight the fun at the St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is the largest event in Prairie du Chien where all the proceeds benefit the Memorial Gardens, according to parks and rec director Mike Ulrich. Average attendance is over 3,000 people.
On Friday, a euchre tournament at and sponsored by the Eagles Club will commence at 1 p.m. There will be a cash payback to the top five place winners, and door prizes too.
Though all other events are on Saturday. Kicking off the day, a Lederhosen 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by Sources of Strength, will begin at 8 a.m. from the Fourth Ward Shelter.
At 9 a.m., a disc golf tournament begins. Hosted by the Rotary Club, anyone is welcome to enter and try their hand at the course on the island.
At 10 a.m., the whole community can come out in Bavarian dress and get involved, when the Oktoberfest parade starts. The route is from Peoples State Bank, through the downtown, to the island. Line-up will be at 9 a.m. at the bank. Burgermeister (Mayor) Dave Hemmer will lead the parade. Also joining will be parks and rec youth volleyball and football players, Oktoberfest royalty and button design contest winner Tenley DuCharme.
The Oktoberfest grounds will officially open at 11 a.m., under the reign of Festmaster Harry Remz. The Prairie du Chien High School band will perform both the United States and German national anthems in the musik tent. Local Boy Scouts will then lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
At this time, Crawford County Master Gardener displays will be ready, and craft vendors will be set up to sell their handmade goods. Kids activities, pumpkin bowling, a tractor display, fisch races and hammerschlagen will kick off at 11 a.m. as well.
Also right away, authentic German food will be for sale in the fernsehen (food) tent and Oktoberfest beverages, including a gluten-free option and apple cider, will be on sale at the Potosi Beer Rolling Bar.
Badger fans won’t be disappointed, since the big game will be available to watch on TV inside the food tent, starting at 11 a.m.
On the menu will be knackwurst, jumbo hot dogs, apple strudel bars, sauerkraut, braised red cabbage and German potato salad.
The Potosi Rolling Bar will be on site offering Oktoberfest beverages, including tap beer, Oktoberfest, Lux, Good Old Potosi, Snake Hollow, Czech Pilsner, Stella Cidre Potosi rootbeer and other favorites. There will be gluten-free options and Shihata’s hot apple cider as well.
By 11:30, music will begin. The crowd-favorite Jim Busta Band is returning to the stage this year and will play until 1 p.m.
At noon, tapping of the official Oktoberfest keg will occur.
The La Crosse Oktoberfest Singers will take the stage and delight the crowd from 1 to 1:30 p.m.
At 1:30, the beer stein holding contest will challenge the strength of men and women interested.
Again at 2 p.m., the Jim Busta Band will return to play until 3:15 p.m. The Oktoberfest Singers will follow for a short period and then the Jim Busta Band will close the festival from 4 to 5 p.m.
Fest buttons are currently on sale at city hall and Hoffman Hall in Prairie du Chien, or they will be available on the grounds. There will also be Oktoberfest merchandise—including T-shirts, steins, caps and koozies—on sale at this year’s event.
Oktoberfest has a record number of sponsors this year with five major sponsors and 31 event/activity sponsors.
“We appreciate their commitment to the family-friendly community event,” Ulrich said.
A film crew from Minneapolis will be on site to film about Prairie du Chien’s Oktoberfest’s Culture and food to be used potentially on The Food Network.
Though it’s early, the weather looks to be seasonably warm and sunny. The Oktoberfest Committee guarantees you will have fun if you join them Oct. 19.
