Event to be held Oct. 14 at ballroom

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

As Oktoberfest celebrations are being held around the world, a local celebration is returning to the New York Mills area after a long hiatus.

The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. at the NY Mills City Hall Ballroom and is being sponsored as a joint fundraiser between the NY Mills Lions Club and the NY Mills Regional Cultural Center.

“It’s a new event,” said NY Mills Lions Club President, Latham Wetland. “Some community organization used to do Oktoberfest back in the day, but we haven’t done that for a while.”

Hetland said that the core elements of the celebration are the games, food and music that are all on-theme with the German festival.

“We have some games to play there, there’s going to be food from Concept Catering, Oktoberfest themed food—so sauerkraut, bratwurst and beer of course—we’re having the Meat Rabbits perform.”

The Meat Rabbits are a polka band that describe themselves as “not your grandmother’s polka.” They will be performing their modern-twist on yesterday’s polka while a variety of food, drinks, and games are available to enjoy.

“We’re doing stein holding,” said Hetland, “You have to hold your glass out for as long as you can with the stein full of beer or water. You can win money. There’s a brat toss and ‘practice your German.’ That’s printed German phrases with English translations on the back.”

In addition to the food, music, and games, everyone who buys a ticket is entitled to their very own commemorative beer stein. Tickets are available at $15 in advance online and $20 at the Cultural Center or at the door.

“It’s all lighthearted stuff,” said Hetland. “I think it will be pretty cool. It’s a new event, it’s always fun to have different times for people to gather. It’s really unique and just a new event for the community.”