OKTOBERFEST

We haven't even had any spring yet but some folks are already thinking about fall.  The OKTOBERFEST BUTTON for this years celebration has already been designed by a gentleman from Green Bay and it has been unveiled for all to see.  I think it's one of the best they've ever had.

THE OTHER OKTOBERFEST

I'm sorry I missed OKTOBERFEST IN DEADWOOD They have WEINER DOG RACES! READ THE STORY HERE

THERE'S ANOTHER OKTOBERFEST

This one is in Chicago and it looks very interesting.  If you're going to be in the Windy City check it out. OKTOBERFEST CHICAGO

NORM IS IN TOWN AND WILL BE IN TONIGHTS TORCHLIGHT PARADE

George Wendt, who played Norm on CHEERS arrived in La Crosse yesterday and plans to stay for the rest of Oktoberfest.  He'll also be in the Torchlight Parade tonight.

Check out the full story here: LA CROSSE TRIBUNE

THERE'S ANOTHER OKTOBERFEST THAT'S CLOSE TO US

The American Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society is hosting this one in Davenport, Iowa. The big events of the day will be a card tournament and bands including Barefoot Becky.

Hey! You can't make stuff like that up.

ANOTHER GREAT OKTOBERFEST TWEET

"Is that a pretzel in your lederhosen or are just just happy to see me?"

OKTOBERFEST AROUND THE WORLD

I love the tweet from Germany I saw this morning: "OKTOBERFEST Munich is puking."

OKTOBERFEST

It must have been a fun night in La Crosse. There were sirens wailing through the streets about every 10 minutes all night long. They woke me up several times. Tonight will be the big party night of the celebration.

The parade kicks off at 10:00 A.M. I'll probably walk down and check it out for a little bit but I'm not up for standing in a crowd of 100,000 people watching hours of high school bands and tractors rolling by.

There's another event I do want to see this afternoon. The Oktoberfest Photo Contest begins at 2 at the La Crosse Public Library.

IT HAS STARTED!

When I go to Festival I usually go early but I had some other things to do so I didn't get going until around 10. I had to run to the bank first so I walked through the downtown area. Totally forgot about Oktoberfest starting today. All the bars were already open with standing room only and the party goers were spilling out into the streets. I'm sure a lot of them were totally drunk by noon.

I'm not decided whether I want to walk down to the parade tomorrow. I'll wait until morning to decide.

YUMMY GOOD GERMAN FOOD

The PUNCHBOWL website has some GREAT OKTOBERFEST recipes. Check them out here: PUNCHBOWL GOODIES

THERE'S JUST A BIT OF COLOR BEGINNING TO SHOW

But it's enough to put us in an OKTOBERFEST mood!

WHAT A WASTE OF BEER BUT IT SHOULD START TO GET YOU IN THE OKTOBERFEST MOOD

OKTOBERFEST AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE!

Oktoberfest seems to be getting old...just like we are.  I remember the first Oktoberfest.  There wasn't a sober person within 10 miles of downtown La Crosse.  Times have changed.

It was decided, yesterday, that this year a new feature will be an ALCOHOL FREE ZONE along the route for the Maple Leaf Parade.  Doesn't that sound like fun?