Photo by Amber McIver-Traywick: Young and old alike enjoy the dance floor at the 2017 Berthoud Oktoberfest celebration.

By Amber McIver-Traywick

The Surveyor

This Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Fickel Park, Oktoberfest will be polka dancing its lederhosen-wearing, bratwurst-eating, beer-drinking self into Berthoud. The annual event will include; live German music, food and beverages, vendors, children’s activities, contests and more.

Berthoud Oktoberfest, hosted by the Berthoud Chamber of Commerce is a free event open for all ages to attend.

Bring along blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the many events throughout the day, including the Lederhosen and Drindl (traditional folk costumes worn in Bavaria) contest, pretzel-eating competitions. Watch and cheer along as some of the strongest men and women around compete in the Bavarian Strength Contest, let the “kinder” enjoy several activities in the Kid’s Zone, and check out the results of the scarecrow-costume contest.

A variety of food trucks and beverages will be available for purchase along with the traditional Oktoberfest fare.

The Dick Zavodny Band will perform from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. followed by John Stehle Jr.’s Rocky Mountain Dutch Hop Boys from 2:30 to 6 p.m. For those who might be asking what exactly is Dutch-Hop, it’s a style of polka that is unique to the German Russians who immigrated to this area of the country at the turn of the 20th century.

The Volkstanzgruppe dancers will also be performing German folk dances at 1:30 p.m. and again at 3 p.m.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased ahead of time at the Berthoud Area Chamber of Commerce, or the day of the event for $5 a piece or 5 for $20.

Important information to take note of if you do plan to attend; pets are not allowed at this event except Service/ESA animals, If you do plan to purchase alcohol an ID will be required, cash or credit cards will be accepted and there will be an ATM available in the park. It is acceptable to bring factory-sealed non-alcoholic beverages into the event, but no outside alcohol is permitted inside the park.

Street parking is available and handicap-accessible parking will be available along Mountain Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets on the north side of the street. Additional parking can also be found in the parking lots of Turner Middle School, 950 Massachusetts Ave. and Ivy Stockwell 175 S. Fifth St.

The event’s website also states Oktoberfest will take place, “rain, snow or shine,” and in Berthoud, we know it could potentially be all three. For a detailed schedule and further information visit berthoudoktoberfest.com/