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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017
Presented by the Florence Events Center
FIFTH ANNUAL FLORENCE
COMMUNITY
CELEBRATION
Saturday, Oct. 14 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Florence Events Center
— Menu —
Beer and soda • Bratwurst,
sauerkraut and potato salad
• Potato soup in a bread bowl
• Soft pretzel • Pickle on a stick • Popcorn •
Apple strudel and ice cream
O
2017
Schedule
of Events
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
at the Florence Events
Center,
715 Quince St.
11 to 11:45 – Cultural Ecology Band
11:45 to 12:15 – Skandia
Leikarringen (dancers)
12:15 to 1 – Alpine Echoes Band
1 to 1:15 – Contest
1:15 to 1:45 – Skandia Leikarringen
1:45 to 2:30 – Cultural Ecology Band
2 – Wiener Dog Race
Registration Opens
2:30 to 2:45 – Contest
2:45 to 3:15 – Tirolean Dancers
3 – Wiener Dog Races (outside)
3:15 to 4 – Alpine Echoes Band
4 to 4:30 p.m. – Tirolean Dancers
4:30 to 5:15 – Alpine
Echoes Band
5:15 to 6 –
Cultural Ecology Band
Sponsored by
Oregon Sen. Arnie Roblan
Darlings RV Resort & Marina
KCST Coast Radio
Siuslaw News
ktoberfest dates back to 1810,
when festivities commenced
on Oct. 12 to celebrate the
marriage of Bavarian Crown
Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese von
Sachsen-Hildburghausen. While the
Crown Prince and his bride have long
since passed away, Oktoberfest celebra-
tions continue, and the standard-bear-
ing party in Munich is annually among
the world’s most anticipated events.
Those who can’t make it to Germany
this October can get a small taste of Ba-
varia at the Florence Events Center, 715
Quince St., during the fi fth annual Ok-
toberfest Celebration in Florence.
Making the most of this event can help
revelers feel as if they’re in Munich after
all.
Celebrate with a group
Oktoberfest celebrations are social
gatherings where the notion of “the
more, the merrier” certainly applies.
At the FEC, communal tables mean you
may be seated near people outside of
your group, including guest entertain-
ers, such as the Alpine Echoes Band or
some of this year’s dancers. Take this
chance to promote brotherhood and
meet your neighbors.
Resolve to try new cuisine
While beer might garner the bulk of
the attention at Oktoberfest celebra-
tions, food is just as big a part of the fes-
tivities. This year’s Oktoberfest features
bratwurst, sauerkraut and potato salad,
as well as potato soup in a bread bowl,
pretzels, pickle on a stick, popcorn and
soft drinks. Many food vendors’ prof-
its go to support Friends of the FEC,
Florence Regional Arts Alliance, Boys
& Girls Club of Western Lane County,
Last Resort Players and Florence Food
Share. This year’s dessert is apple stru-
del with ice cream.
Get up and dance
Even celebrants who are unlikely to be
mistaken for Fred and Ginger anytime
soon recognize the important role music
plays in Oktoberfest celebrations.
While some may mistake it for polka,
the music played at Oktoberfest cel-
ebrations is actually German “oompah.”
Those skittish about stepping in may
want to wait until they (and their friends
and family also in attendance) have fi n-
ished a stein before taking to the dance
fl oor. Check out the traditional German
dance groups, Skandia Leikarringen
Dancers and the Tirolean Dancers, as
well as the folk music by the Cultural
Ecology Band and the Alpine Echoes
Band.
Experience the entire festival
Celebrants can get their faces painted
and take a picture at the BeauxArts Pho-
to Booth. Outside, the Wiener Dog Rac-
es raise money for the American Cancer
Society in the cutest way possible — with
Dachshunds. There will also be raffl es,
contests and prizes.
Get home safe
Arrange transportation home before
attending an Oktoberfest celebration.
To ensure everyone arrives home safely,
people can assign a designated driver
from their group or arrange for a taxi
to take them to and from the festival so
no one feels the need to get behind the
wheel.
Oktoberfest is annually one of the
world’s biggest parties, but celebrants
need not go all the way to Munich to en-
joy a raucous celebration. Come down
the Florence Events Center on Satur-
day, Oct. 14, for a whole day of beer,
food, music and fun.
Tickets are $7 in advance, or $8 at the
door. Visit eventcenter.org, stop by the
Box Offi ce at 715 Quince St. or call 541-
997-1994.
Dachshund Derby
G
et ready for a Dachshund derby
at the fi ft h annual famous Flor-
ence Wiener Dog Races!
Th e Wiener Dog Races are presented
by the Siuslaw News on Saturday, Oct.
14, during this year’s Oktoberfest at the
Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St.
Registration begins at 2 p.m., fol-
lowed by the races at 3 p.m. Current
shot records are required for the dogs.
Cost to register pets for the derby is
$10. All proceeds go to the American
Cancer Society and Florence Relay for
Life.
Awards will be handed out for fi rst
and second places in three categories:
puppy (up to 2 years), youth (2 to 5
years) and adult (6 years and above). An
overall champion will also be named.
Race your Dachshund on the spe-
cial, extended race track and support
your favorite four-legged runner from
the sidelines.
To pre-register or for more in-
formation, contact Jeanna at 541-
999-6077 or by email at jpetersen@
thesiuslawnews.com.
(Inset) 2016 Wiener Dog Race
Grand Champion Gotti, with
Alaura Little of Florence
SIUSLAW NEWS FILE PHOTOS