Fall Harvest Festival / Oktoberfest October 1, 2006

Admission is $7.50

A noontime parade known as the “Grand Entry” in Germany, with costumed dancers and musicians, will kick off each day at noon After the entry, Oktoberfest tradition dictates that a city dignitary taps a large barrel of beer. The spigot is opened and Oktoberfest "bar maidens" (female Rotarians dressed in German dirndls) serve beverages to festival-goers.

Both days will feature a number of contests including a best-dressed Bavarian costume contest (lederhosen and dirndls) and a stein-holding contest to see who can hold water-filled steins for the longest time. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. The contests are open to all those who attend.

Live German music and the German dance and musical group, Tänze der Gemütlichen Schuhplattler, will perform on the main stage. The group will perform traditional German dances using long Bavarian horns, accordians, bells and whips, and teach the audience simple German steps. Strolling musicians will serenade guests whenever the entertainers on the main stage pause for a break. A second stage will feature local performers. (Music closes at 5:30

Barbequed tri-tip and chicken along with bratwurst, German potato salad, German-style wieners and homemade sauerkraut are on the menu. Paulaner Oktoberfest beer will be on tap and a designated German beer garden will provide the look and feel of an authentic German Oktoberfest celebration. German strudel will be available at one of more than 50 food, clothing and arts and crafts booths. Face painting, children's games, farm animals, tractor & horse-drawn wagon rides, a corn maze, puppet & animal shows, festival clowns and jugglers are some of the activities for kids.

Admission is $7.50 & children under 2 are free. For more information, call Mary-Catherine McBride at 805-701-7248 or visit the Rotary web site: www.nprotary.org

Official Website: http://www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/Oktoberfest.htm