OktoberFest La Crosse, Wisconsin - Annual German Heritage Fall Festival on the Great River Road

Wilkommen to the 47th Annual La Crosse Oktoberfest

Although both us are of Germanic heritage, neither Jo nor I have ever attended LaCrosse's famous October festival - modeled after the original 16 day Oktoberfest held in Munich, Bavaria (Germany) since 1810. In 2007, we corrected that omission and attended the opening day of La Crosse's 9 day festival. Unfortunately we arrived too late to catch the parade but we were fortunate to have a picture perfect day for celebration and enjoyment of the abundant Gemutlichkeit permeating the atmosphere in the South Side festival grounds.

That's me (photo to the left) posing with the medallion artwork for the 47th Oktoberfest and Jo waiting at the entrance to the Festival grounds (photo to the right).

Admission requires the purchase of a 2007 Festival Button ($7) or a limited edition 2007 festival button-hat ($20). The buttons and hats grant you admission to all 9 days of the festival.

The Midway

The midway offered a selection of food, souvenier gifts, games, and carnival rides and attractions.

< < < Herr and Frau Reinhold suitably attired (temporarily) in Lederhosen and Dirndl.

This game is a contest to see who can pound the nail in the log with the least amount of swings. Contestants take turns, one swing per turn.

< < < Notice that the hammer must be held backwards offering a very narrow face on the head of the hammer. Takes a good eye and a steady swing to get that nail down.

The Bier Garden and Entertainment Stage
The sound of Oompah music drew us to the Festival Foods Garden where we found The Oktoberfest Singers & the German Band entertaining the crowd of people dancing, singing, socializing, and naturally enjoying the golden brew.

Brats, beer, music, dancing, singing, talking, laughing, enjoying the beautiful day wrapped in the spirit of Gemutlichkeit.

Properly attired in Lederhosen and Dirndl, two festival goers listen to George Schilz, the stroling accordian player.

The festival Bier Meister poses with the empty Golden Keg which is always tapped as part of the opening ceremonies of Oktoberfest.

Later in the day we caught this same guy walking the keg back
to the brewery through downtown La Crosse.

We sampled only a fraction of the festival as we had to leave in the afternoon for a wedding. So we missed the opening of the carnival rides, the Polka band, and the evening Blues Night entertainment in the Main Stage Beer Hall. And we never got to the Northside Festgrounds (a free shuttle bus runs between the two Festgrounds). Additionally each of the 9 days of the festival features different events and different entertainers.

The Free Shuttle Bus also runs regular routes between the Festgrounds and a number of hotels, restaurants, taverns, resorts and other locations. In addition the municipal bus line offers a special 50 cent ticket to anyone with and Oktoberfest button.

La Crosse Oktoberfest 2008
The dates for the 48th annual Oktoberfest are September 26th through October 4th.

Go Here for the official La Crosse Oktoberfest Website

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