Enjoyable (and Effective Weather) Discovered at Oktoberfest

 

By Vera GARABEDIAN and Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce held its annual Oktoberfest celebration on Honolulu Avenue on Saturday. From midday to 10 p.m. the avenue within the blocks from 2200 to 2400 have been shut all the way down to accommodate the estimated 20,000 guests who got here to have fun all issues German.

“We definitely saw higher attendance this year with crowds more evenly spread throughout the day,” stated Chamber govt director Molly Burke. “The past two years were so hot that many people, understandably, waited until evening [to attend], which made nighttime extremely busy.”

Burke additionally credited the truth that native sports activities groups performed earlier within the day. 

“Everyone was in great spirits that evening after the Dodgers had already played and won!” she stated.

Community members and people of neighboring areas loved pretzels, carnival video games and rides, performances from dance teams and choirs, and stay music. The Main Stage at Ocean View Boulevard hosted the Past Action Heroes, Mumbo Jumbo, Bootscoot Bosses, RDC Dance Studio and The Vault Dance Studio. At the Market Stage folks loved PowerPlay, the Mary Dyer Band and Chris Blakely. On the Bavarian Stage at Wickham Way have been the German Band and DJ Ernie Muraoka. Katrina Saroyan was roaming the day taking part in her accordion.

In addition there have been three contests on the Main Stage: Lil’ Mister & Lil’ Miss Oktoberfest, Mr. & Mrs. Oktoberfest and stein holding. 

“Each contest had both a first and second place male and female winner,” stated Burke. “I won’t soon forget the little girl who won Lil’ Miss Oktoberfest with plush pretzels above her braids! It’s always so fun to see how excited the winners get and how they celebrate afterward by visiting one of the booths, whether that’s a pretzel or a beer!”

There have been 29 cubicles at Oktoberfest providing all the things from foods and drinks to face portray. Though there was no admission payment for Oktoberfest, tickets have been required to play video games, sit on rides and luxuriate in snacks and refreshments. The streets, although, have been bustling in any respect hours and it wasn’t uncommon to see strains outdoors of native companies resembling Froyo Life and Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria. 

The forty sixth Annual Montrose Oktoberfest is formally within the books. 

  “These community events are so special to me and it’s heartwarming to see and hear how much people enjoy them and to know we’re creating something memorable for our town,” stated Burke. “The event takes a tremendous amount of effort from the Montrose Chamber staff and board of directors, the Oktoberfest Committee, the volunteers working the booths, the student volunteers from CVHS’ JROTC and Clark Magnet High School, and all of our vendors. Costs continue to rise each year, but this event remains a cherished tradition that our volunteers and community members look forward to year after year, even after all the madness is over! We definitely have some ideas for next year and are already looking forward to making it even better.”

Oktoberfest is held the primary Saturday in October.

Photos by Robin GOLDSWORTHY and Charly SHELTON