28th Annual Oktoberfest held at Mountain Creek

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Photos

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  Photos by Chris Wyman

  Members of the HSV Bavaria Dancers perform the “Küssend Tanz” or “Kissing Dance.”

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  The Grammy Award winning Jimmy Sturr His Orchestra performed five sets over the two-day period.

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  Longtime Vernon ski instructor Bernhard Oesen of Wantage sported a stylish cap and lederhosen as he directed visitors to Mountain Creekís Oktoberfest festivities. Oesen, originally from Austria, works as a greeter for special events and has worked as an instructor at the ski resort since the mid-1960s.

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  Bavarian-style go-go dancers teaching the youngsters how to dance on the main stageís dance floor.

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  A Bavarian-style go-go dancer does the polka with Lassie.

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  Bavarian-style go-go dancers entertained the crowds.

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VERNON — After 26 years at Minerals Hotel Spa, last year Vernon’s annual Oktoberfest changed venues to the area surrounding the new 55,000-square-foot Red Tail base lodge at Mountain Creek. It was likely a good idea since this year’s 28th Annual Oktoberfest drew a record-setting total of nearly 15,000 people with nearly 9,000 attending on Saturday alone.

In the past, the Oktoberfest festival was limited to only one day, but since last year it has been a two-day affair. Also new this year was a relocation of the main stage, which was moved further down the slope to take advantage of the natural amphitheater that the ski slopes above provide.

Non stop entertainment this year was provided by The Philadelphia German Brass Band, also known as “Die Deutsche Blaskapelle von Philadelphia,” the HSV Bavaria Dancers, The Joe Weber Band, The Adlers and The Shippensburg Blaskapelle.

The Grammy Award winning Jimmy Sturr His Orchestra also returned to perform five sets over the two day festival. Joining the orchestra was international performer and Orange County resident Chris Caffery of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who sat in on selected numbers.

Bavarian-style go-go dancers were also another first as they two-at-a-time performed on giant beer barrels. The go-go dancers also taught the youngsters how to do a variety of steps on the main stage’s dance floor.

As in the past, billowing smoke from oversized grills filled the air throughout the weekend. Traditional Bavarian food was served including roasted pig and lamb, potato pancakes, knockwurst, pork weiswurst, Black Forest cake and strudel. Various Germanic and domestic beers were also available in a variety of sizes.

As in the past and to add a feeling of authenticity to the festive atmosphere, the waiters wore lederhosen and feathered felt caps and the waitresses wore traditional dirndl dresses. These dresses are typically full-skirted with a tight bodice, low neck and short, full sleeves.

According to resort spokeswoman Chelsea Vandergroef, last year’s crowd was a record-breaking event with more than 12,000 people attending. So this year’s attendance saw a roughly 25 percent increase.

Traditionally, in Bavaria, the Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year during late September into early October. In Bavaria, it is truly a national event with millions of people attending the various area celebrations. The very first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to commemorate a royal wedding.

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