Kitchener-Waterloo may have Oktoberfest down pat, but Thunder Bay is working at giving the southern Ontario communities a run for their money.
This year’s event, slated for Sept. 26, is going to be bigger and better than ever, organizers said on Wednesday.
There’ll be more music, more activities and a nighttime party that’s quickly becoming a staple on the city’s social calendar, one that’s caught the attention of the Huffington Post, which named the local Oktoberfest one of the top 11 in the country.
Money raised – they’ve collected $30,000 combined in the events first two years – will be donated to Our Kids Count and other local charities.
“Oktoberfest has been something that’s been building,” said organizer Matt Pearson, a co-owner of the Sleeping Giant Brewery, sponsors of the event.
“It wasn’t really done on the level it’s being done, before.”
Two years ago the local Rotary Club chapters approached Pearson about raising some money for charity.
“Of course we were on board right away,” he said. “The event started out as a one-night party. We had a really great first year, a really great second year and in Year 3 we wanted to go bigger with it and involve more people.”
As a result, the fun gets under way at 9 a.m. at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition, with a series of events, including cross-fit and strongman competitions, a five-kilometre fun run put on by Fresh Air and a home-brew competition.
The taps start flowing at 11 a.m.
There will also be plenty of German-themed food on hand, from sauerkraut and bratwurst to kasespatzel and Sweet North Bakery’s pretzels.
The dance party, featuring the music of the Polka Pirates and Green Bank Trio, starts at 6 p.m.
The Beer and Brawn motorcycle raffle will also take place during Oktoberfest.
Our Kids Count spokesman John Trevisanutto said it was a great partnership.
“We thought it was a perfect fit, particularly with our strongman competition and our cross-fit competition because competitors were finding the end of summer was a real tough time to get together. This has worked out well. The numbers are super high,” Trevisanutto.
“And at Our Kids Count, we felt it was another opportunity for us to make people aware of all the good work we do in the community.”
Tickets for the dance party are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. They’re available at Sleeping Giant Brewery, Our Kids Count and online at http://www.tbayoktoberfest.ca/sign-up-tickets.
