Six million bottles of beer

Munich’s Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk festival where six million people drink beer by the litre and munch on traditional 15-inch Bavarian pretzels.

It’s the go-to festival where people from across the planet dance, sing and clink beer steins while shouting, “Prost.”

But not everyone can fly to Munich. For people in search of a cozier, more intimate experience, the second annual Morinville Oktoberfest will be celebrated on Oct. 3 at the Community Cultural Centre.

The festival was initiated last year to honour the community’s German pioneers. Many arrived through the United States and settled as farmers in Sturgeon County.

“We are appreciative and acknowledge the immigrants who worked their fingers to the bone and in some cases to death to make this land what it is,” said organizer Allen Jacobson, community development.

The evening starts at 6 p.m. with children’s games and activities followed by traditional foods, music, dance, costumes and memorabilia.

Patrons walking into the cabaret-styled cultural centre will immediately note the German decorations in the hall – the blue and white flag, the Bavarian coat of arms, and a collection of popular steins.

Returning from last year’s event are the town’s German heritage dioramas and a trilingual stop sign in English, French and German that used to grace Main Street.

The mouth-watering part of Oktoberfest will be the unmistakable rich Bavarian foods – sauerkraut, bratwurst, pretzels and potato salad.

Jazz singer Barbara Meyer, who honed her chops in Germany, will lead a bilingual sing-along for children as well as a few cultural games.

Two of the evening’s highlights will be special appearances by Edmonton’s returning Vinok Worldance and Calgary’s Brabec Brothers Bavarian Band.

Vinok will feature eight costumed dancers, including St. Albert’s Paige Tirs, performing four dances.

“Last year we invited people up on stage. It was fun and we received positive feedback and we hope to have as good a time on Friday,” said Vinok artist director Leanne Koziak.

The Brabec Brothers are also returning due to popular demand. One of their shticks is to sing a song and end it by toasting and drinking from a stein.

“They are engaging, entertaining and really get the crowd involved,” Jacobson said.

People are encouraged to dress up and bring their own steins to savour the various German beers on tap.