Oktoberfest 2015
Well, I'm back and ready to write. Oktoberfest is epic in scope. I am still recovering and cleaning up my home, but Oktoberfest is great.
My weekend began Thursday evening with Craft Beer Night. There's a parade at that time called the Torchlight Parade on the north side of La Crosse — I didn't attend, but heard wonderful things. But we're here to talk about Craft Beer Night.
As you walk up to the fest grounds, you can already feel a celebration coming. Since it's the first night of Oktoberfest, the grounds aren't too crowded yet. The beer tent isn't immediately obvious, but it soon reveals itself. By 5:00 PM when the event began, there was already a line forming. We received great glasses shaped like beer cans. The moment you enter the tent, you're immediately hit by the sound of a great band and the smell of beer.
Several breweries came out, supplemented by local distributors to provide a wider selection. Even the local homebrewers had a table — the LAGERS (La Crosse Area Grain Enthusiasts and Related Specialties) had some incredibly interesting beers, including a fantastic yam ale and a jalapeño stout.
This event is similar to "Between the Bluffs," La Crosse's beer, wine, and cheese festival — just smaller in scope. And I like that. You can actually talk to the brewers and don't have to wait forever to be served. Sierra Nevada had a damn good Oktoberfest-style beer. Craft Beer Night is already on my must-do list for next year.
The next morning I wandered back to the fest grounds. La Crosse turns into a 24-hour drinking spectacle this weekend — I saw pictures of people lining up at bars for breakfast at 5:30 AM Friday. Like a civilized person, I waited until 8:00. I spent the morning walking with friends, taking in the sights and sounds. Upon reaching the fest grounds I was greeted with the glorious sound of tubas and accordions. Oktoberfest was finally here.
The rest of Friday was spent festing and waiting for friends to arrive from Illinois.
Saturday I started with the Maple Leaf 5-Mile Run, sponsored by the YMCA. It includes a 5K walk and a half-marathon — I tip my hat to the brave souls who take on that half. I strongly suggest looking into this race for next year. It's festive, follows the Maple Leaf parade route, and seeing the town of La Crosse lining the streets at 7:00 AM waiting for the grand parade is a treat all its own. Brats cooking, beers cracking open. I actually saw someone ahead of me take Jello shots. It's like Gatorade, right?
Once showered, it was time for the parade.
The Maple Leaf Parade is unlike anything I have ever seen. People start staking out spots a day early. Groups sleep in shifts to keep their perfect viewing location. It goes on for miles — a land where beer flows freely and bathrooms are a hot commodity. Like most parades, this one opens with fire trucks and bagpipes before quickly turning into a procession of lederhosen and dirndls as the Oktoberfest royalty appears.
The parade goes on for hours. Bands, floats, and the occasional odd assortment of people. It ends with the Screaming Eagle Alumni Band — all the graduated members of UW-La Crosse's marching band. An extremely odd group, and I am proud to call several of them friends.
The rest of Oktoberfest is a blur of bratwurst, kraut, polka, buttons, and friends. I love this holiday. I love the people. I love the tradition. This has become a regular gathering for my family now. Participating in the fest shows you all aspects of this community.
Till next year.