Each year, on the second Thursday after Labor Day, just after the hop farms’ harvest comes in, the entire city of Mount Angel puts on a celebration like no other. It’s four days of singing, dancing, food and all-around merry-making that links nearly 7,500 volunteers, a number nearly double the population of the town, in a common goal – raising funds for local non-profits.
“We normally give away $100,000 each year,” Oktoberfest Board President Bill Bischoff said. “And for some this is their big fundraiser.”
Until this year that is.
“We probably could have gotten a pass for this year,” Bischoff said of the difficult decision he and the rest of the board faced upon review of the current government regulations around public gatherings. “We could have just said – we’re going to put our efforts into next year. But our main goal was to support the non-profits.”
With that in mind, the board created the first ever, Zuhaus Edition – to put it plainly, in-house Oktoberfest.
“We’re going to be putting packages together – what to do to have your Oktoberfest at home,” Bischoff explained. “And people are already ordering.”
Located on the current Oktoberfest website (oktoberfest.org) a host of O’fest themed items – German beers, wine, sausages, steins and even commemorative swag – is available for preorder then in-vehicle pick-up Sept. 17 through 19 at the Mount Angel Festhalle.
It’s everything needed to throw a smaller version of the main festival. And, best of all, O’fest enthusiasts will still get to see favorite performers via Livestream for the price of a $10 ticket.
“It’s a good, well-rounded group,” Bochsler said of the seven acts currently on the roster.
Featured are: Z-Musikmakers, Molly B and the Squeezebox Band, Festival Brass and Klabberheads to name just a few – some will even be streaming live from the Festhalle stage in Mount Angel.
“What I really hope happens is, people kind of keep Oktoberfest on their calendar,” O’festboard member Monica Bochsler said.
“Get your family together, make your sausages, watch the show, do the Chicken Dance at least once, then go big next year.”
The Oktoberfest board is also hoping O’fest supporters will donate to the more than 50 non-profits the festival generally supports.
“The money collected by Mount Angel Oktoberfest will be pooled and shared with all the groups that would normally benefit from the festival,” the board announced.
To that end, the website makes it easy to donate in increments from $10 to $200 or – for those who wish to gift more and would like to receive a tax deduction – larger donations are accepted on the Mt. Angel Community Foundation page (mtangelcommfnd.org).
In the meantime, getting the word out about the change in venue from downtown Mount Angel to Zuhaus is the Oktoberfest Board’s biggest challenge.
“We all love it, and that’s why we decided to not do nothing,” Bischoff said. “We all have great hopes that this succeeds.”
55th Annual Mount Angel Oktoberfest
Zuhaus (In-House) Edition
Livestream entertainment: Sept. 19, 4 to 10 p.m. Tickets: $10
Order: oktoberfest.org
Zuhaus packages can include food, beverages and souvenirs.
Pick up: Sept. 17 after 4 p.m., Sept. 18, 1-9 p.m. and Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Festhalle,
500 Wilco Highway, Mount Angel
