Fall is extra-special in our mountain town: Brisk air, sparkling blue skies, golden aspen, a downtown alive with activity and visitors from all over the world.

What a wonderful fit for a beloved tradition from another mountainous region across the seas: Oktoberfest, that lively festival observed in Munich, Germany, in the heart of Bavaria, that southeastern state known for its castles, snow-capped peaks, fun-loving population and, perhaps above all else, its beer culture.

OLD TRADITION THRIVES TODAY

It all started in October 1810, when the citizens of Munich gathered in the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

Originally running for 16 days in Germany, from late September to the first weekend in October, this ever-popular festival in recent years has attracted more than 8 million people to Theresa’s meadow, or “die Wiesn,” to drink large quantities of seasonal beers, eat favorite foods like bratwurst and wiener schnitzel, and play Oktoberfest games like beer-stein races and brat-eating contests.

Saturday in our own beloved meadow in Wheeler Park, folks from all over will flock for the fifth year in a row to the Flagstaff Oktoberfest, to enjoy many of the same traditions savored in Bavaria for 203 years.

Last year, about 5,800 people came for a late-morning to evening frolic in the park.

Jennifer Grogan is the local events planner coordinating the event. She’ll be very busy reducing the wait time for food and beer, politely escorting out unruly patrons and making sure all the polka bands arrive on schedule.

“I like to say that the Flagstaff Oktoberfest is the last festival of the 2013 season,” Grogan observes. “It’s a great time to come out and see the fall colors change, while enjoying a beer under the sun, and helping a great cause at the same time.”

This year, that “great cause” is the Flagstaff Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team, and 25 percent of the gross alcohol sales will benefit the team.

Grogan says that in 2012 the event raised $6,800 for the Flagstaff Sunrise Lions Club.

VERY FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT

Grogan is co-owner of Peaks Events, a family business she runs with her mother, Debbi, who actually started Flagstaff Oktoberfest in 2008, with her daughter assisting.

As in past years, there will be live music and contests throughout the day.

“Big Willie and the Polka Meisters, along with Polka Katzen, will be providing all the polka you can handle,” Grogan says. “Buzzard Brothers will also be performing; they have played every festival of ours, and we consider them a good luck charm. And closing the show is Buckit!”

Contests include yodeling, costume, Satchmo’s “Brat Eating Contest,” Findlay’s “Stuff the Bug Contest” and the newest contest, “Beer Stein Holding,” which probably takes a steady hand and a bit of sobriety to pull off.

“It’s a family-friendly event,” she says. “We’ve got the mug root beer garden for the kids, a bounce house, and arts and craft. We love to see the families come out.”

Grogan says 2010 was her first year to do the full start-to-finish planning of the Flagstaff Oktoberfest.

“I love festival event planning,” adds Grogan, whose job includes being a financial negotiator, big-decision maker and detail-oriented manager.

PARK ONE BIG BEER GARDEN

The perimeter of Wheeler Park will be fenced, and security officials will be checking identification and making sure there’s no underage drinking.

“Wheeler Park is essentially one big beer garden,” Grogan explains. “You must be wristbanded in order to drink. We have security throughout the venue making sure this happens. We have never had a problem in the four years with our alcohol sales.”

Grogan says it takes about a year to plan for this event and that weather can be one of the biggest challenges.

“The very first year, it snowed,” she recalls. “But the weather looks great this year.”

One thing Grogan doesn’t have to worry about are electrical issues. Her dad Pat, who operates a local electric business, is available to help out with any electrical challenges.

The three Grogans are all NAU alumni, she adds, so Peaks Events, like the Flagstaff Oktoberfest, is definitely a local effort.

Betsey Bruner can be reached at bbruner@azdailysun.com or 556-2255.