September 12, 2009: Oktoberfest in Red Lodge, MT!

Oktoberfest comes early to Red Lodge, Montana... by October, the weather is already too cool for an outdoor festival in the park whereas September weather is beautiful... at least it was this year! I've included a few photos of the festival which are probably only of interest to those pictured... but we didn't really do much else on the day of the festival. A good time (too good a time?) was had by all as we drank an Oktoberfest brew (by beermeister Sam of Red Lodge Ales) or two or more, ate bratwurst, knackwurst, German potato salad and danced to the music (early in the day... oompah... later in the day... blues and rock and roll provided by the Firehouse Band of Billings, MT).

The dirndl I'm wearing was purchased on EBay for about half what 'authentic' German online clothing merchants wanted... it was fun to dress for the occasion.

Beer maidens Hillary and Vanessa on break from serving beer.

Mayor Betsy with Mom, Millicent, modeling the hat awarded to the Oktoberfest Queen elected each year.

One of the youngest Oktoberfest participants dressed in authentic costume... Wyatt was later voted Oktoberfest king for 2009...

Keg bowling was just one of the games for Oktoberfest... here Maryvette throws for what she hopes will be a strike (it wasn't) as the crowd watches.

Lindsey in her authentic German dirndl... one of the organizers who helped make Oktoberfest a smashing success again this year.

Sam, beermeister and owner of Red Lodge Ales...

This photo of us dancing to the Firehouse Band at Oktoberfest was provided by one of the people we met that day...