Though it's not October yet, Oktoberfest season has begun. What does that mean, exactly? It means OOM-PAH and lederhosen as far as the eye can see.
What would a local Oktoberfest be without our own resident Bavarian, Helmut Fricker.
It's no secret that Vail and Beaver Creek strive to, well, impersonate Europe in many ways, especially regions of Germany and Switzerland. Naturally, one of Germany's most famed fall celebrations is going to fall onto our wannabe map. Not just once, but three times.
Yes, indeed. Oktoberfest will be out in force in separate celebrations on different weekends beginning Aug. 30 - 31 in Beaver Creek, then moving to Lionshead Sept. 5 - 7 and finishing its local tour in Vail Village Sept. 12 - 14.
Before you start knocking back the Bavarian beer at Beaver Creek, you might want to sign up for the Oktoberfest Shuffle at 10 a.m on Aug. 30. Not for the feint-hearted (and advisably, not for the beer-guzzling), the Shuffle is a 5 or 10-kilometer run highlighting the trails of Beaver Creek Mountain. Advance registration is between $20 and $40, while race-day is $25 to $45 (for families) at www.active.com. All proceeds go to the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group.
The rest of the Beav's Fest will consist of food booths (bratwurst is a must) and live music by local yodeler Helmut Fricker, Trachtenkappelle and The LA Allstars.
Helmut is likely to move his oom-pah and accompanying instruments over to Vail's Oktoberfests, which will also feature brats, German beer and displays of traditional dancing.
Prost! (that's "cheers" in German ... we think).
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