German cultural event draws crowd

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This article was published 12/09/2010 (5682 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Under sky blue and white streamers and balloons, with an oompah band playing in the background, more than 600 people enjoyed Oktoberfest on Saturday.

Though a little early, one of the reasons organizers scheduled it now was to offer parents a little break after sending their children back to school.

"We did it now because it’s the only time this venue is available because after we’re out of here, they’re going to put the ice in," said Manfred Wicht, the president of the German Society of Westman.

"As well, we didn’t have the opportunity to participate in February to participate in the winter festival and so we thought we’d do something else."

At the Riverview Curling Club on Saturday night, the society chose the traditional route and offered a menu that included various salads, Brot — fresh baked rolls — Fleisch — various meats — cooked on a Schwenkgrill, pretzels, and of course, Black Forest cake, apple strudel, Bienenstich or bee sting cake.

"The Crocus Plains welding class built the Schwenkgrill for us. (Chef Larry DeVries) wanted it built because we wanted to do something different," he said. "This is the biggest Schwenkgrill in Canada. Nobody has one and Larry needed to have it."

For the occasion, two types of Holsten beer, Kleiner Feigling — fig vodka — and German wines were served.

There were two games of skill to play — a nail pounding contest and a beanbag throw — for prizes. Also, there were plenty of favours — novelty beer steins, shot glasses and festive hats — to be purchased.

The entertainment for the evening was comprised of Oktoberfest music provided by local band, the Alpine Express Show Band and the Edelweiss Dancers from Regina.

The German Society of Westman has made inquiries about a venue for the 2011 Lieutenant Governor’s Winter Festival, but does not yet know if its request will meet with approval.