A taste of Germany

Stephen Margarit said that more than anything, he looks forward to the authentic German food at this year’s Oktoberfest.

Margarit, 19, spent 11 months in Germany as an exchange student as part of the Fort William Rotary Club exchange program. He stayed with two families, went to high school, learned to speak the language and how to cook German food.

He has gone to two Oktoberfests with the one in Munich being the biggest one he’s been to, he said.

"It was only an hour after Oktoberfest opened and all the beer tents were full," said Margarit. "I’ve always been interested in German culture, the food and the language. It (was what got me to go over there."

Margarit said that high schools in Germany sometimes start at 7:30 a.m. and some classes do not end until 5 p.m. While not attending school he said he was able to travel and go to 10 countries.

Margarit said he would be going to the Oktoberfest happening on the CLE grounds on Oct. 9.

David Freeman, fundraising co-ordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society Thunder Bay Unit, said the festival is in support of prostate cancer research. Freeman said cancer affects two thirds of Canadian men over a lifetime.

"When cancer hits a family it doesn’t just affect the person who has cancer," said Freeman. "It affects their spouse, their family and friends. It is something we need to step up and take some action."

The first Oktoberfest celebrated in Thunder Bay was in 2007. Freeman said a few hundred people came out to the festival and was looking to get more than 300 at this year’s event.
Tickets are $15, which includes a light meal, $10 gift certificate to the White Fox Inn, and live entertainment.

The Fort William Rotary Club will be bartending the festival. Authentic German food will be served including char-grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut, beef stew sauerbraten and dark ale marinated chicken.