Cochranites are encouraged to don their Dirndl or Lederhosen Sept. 24 for the community’s fifth annual Oktoberfest celebration, with organizers planning to take the well-loved event to the next level.
For the last few years, Half Hitch Brewing hosted Cochrane’s Oktoberfest at their venue. Due to the yearly gathering’s popularity meaning it quickly outgrew Half Hitch’s taproom, they are now partnering with Quirk Social and The Butchery Block to create a bigger community event that will continue to be hosted annually.
For $20, guests ages 18 and older can experience a local and authentic German Oktoberfest celebration with food and drink available to purchase on-site with fun activities and events taking place throughout the night.
This year’s event will be hosted at the Cochrane Lions Club Event Centre. Guests can experience German staples of Oktoberfest, including long tables, beer brought in by Half Hitch Brewing Company, Bratwurst on a bun, and soft pretzels made by The Butchery Block. Although the event is focused on and celebrates beer, non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.
Guests can ‘Proßt’ (cheers) the night away while they enjoy live music from Premium Akkord, who will be performing traditional Bavarian music alongside contemporary pop, rock and country hits. The night will also include giveaways, prizes for the best-dressed guest in Lederhosen or Dirndl, beer glass-holding and yodelling competitions, and a cameo appearance by the Yodel Ladies.
Kailey Mitchell, CEO of Quirk Social and event coordinator of Cochrane’s Oktoberfest celebration, said attendees are guaranteed a great night out in the community. She invites adults who are looking for a great excuse to party or who want to make new friends.
“That whole long table idea is that you are sitting with people you know or don’t and it’s all about cheers-ing with each other and spending time with the people in your community and creating a new one,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell is excited for the event and is glad to be working with Half Hitch Brewing, The Butchery Block and the Lions Club Event Centre to bring the Oktoberfest celebration together. She added the goal is to grow the event every year.
Oktoberfest is an annual festival in Munich, held from mid-September until the first Sunday of October. The two-week party, which has been a Bavarian staple since 1810, celebrates the region’s beer culture, with hundreds of thousands of attendees coming to the festival grounds in Munich from around the world to sample local brews.
Tickets are available for purchase online at eventbrite.ca and at the door. Mitchell invites business who would like to provide prizing for the event or individuals who would like to volunteer to contact her directly [email protected].
