The Hofbräuhaus News

Oktoberfest Ladysmith Welcomes One and All!
“Ein Prosit!” With
glasses of amber ale,
Oktoberfest President
Lorraine Bretzlaff
Cluff and master of
ceremonies Mark
Papousek toasted the
official opening of
Oktoberfest
Ladysmith 2006. Now
step-dancing show in the
Dining Hall. A Touch of
Class was a popular
show in the Dining Hall
on Saturday and Sunday
afternoons. Louis
Schryer & Friends,
Howard Hayes, and local
favourite Gail Gavan had
people dancing in the
C larence Bretzlaff
Building on Saturday;
Desert Heat played until
in its 21st
Article and *Photos by
Gail Gavan
Sheri-Lyn Schock
Desert Heat
Louis Schryer
Note: above photos
from the www.
*Freda Krose
*Lawrence Cannon
st
year, the
celebration took place
on September 29, 30
and October 1.
L o c a t e d
approximately 90
minutes north-west of Ottawa, the small
village of Ladysmith, Quebec is home to this
annual harvest festival. With only 65 or so
permanent residents, Ladysmith’s population
blossoms to at least 80 times that much for
3 days each fall. In fact, seasoned
Oktoberfest revelers have been known to
stake out prime camping spots for their RVs
weeks in advance of the festivities! Not to
mention the many local cottagers who
return to the area for one last hurrah before
winter sets in. Oktoberfest can also be
considered a homecoming for some; those
who grew up in local communities make the
1am for the late-night
annual pilgrimage to Ladysmith and re-
c rowd. Sunday
acquaint themselves with old friends and
afternoon saw Euro
familiar faces.
Connection performing
traditional Oktoberfest
With thousands of people descending on
tunes, while the Maple
such a tiny village, it’s no wonder the
Leaf-Almraugh Dancers
Oktoberfest Board of Directors relies on a
wowed the audience
team of volunteers to keep everything
with traditional attire
running smoothly! From the friendly faces at
and fancy footwork.
the entrance gates to the boisterous fellows
Those interested in
pouring the beer and serving sausages with
“big boy toys” were
sauerkraut … every last one is a volunteer.
not to be disappointed
And what did Oktoberfest have to offer
– there was more than
this year? The beer was flowing and the
enough to keep them
food was delicious, but that’s not all! Not
coming back for more.
even close!
ATV enthusiasts attended the Four Wheel
Opening ceremonies, hosted by Mark Bike Pull on Friday evening.
Papousek, took place Saturday’s 4x4 Truck and
on Friday night. Modified Tractor Pull was the
Oktoberfest President final pull of the year for the
Lorraine Bretzlaff Northern Truck Pullers and
Cluff paid a warm drew a large crowd as always
tribute to retired – the roar of the engines
Director Freda Krose, could be heard from miles
who was the back- away! And you could count
bone of the on Sunday’s parade to be full
Oktoberfest kitchen of antique and classic
for 20 years. “One vehicles.
can only image the One could lose track of
countless pounds of time browsing through the
sauerkraut and machinery and tools an
sausages that have antique dealer had for sale.
been served under Some people even started
her direction over the Christmas shopping at the
years,” mused Cluff. many craft booths, where
This was followed by there were quilts, bath and
greetings from local beauty products, candles,
dignitaries Charlotte honey, preserves, rugs, hand-
L’Ecuyer (Member of knitting (cozy slippers and
the Quebec National mittens!), delicate
Assembly for woodwork, toll-painting and
Pontiac), Lawrence much more.
Cannon (Member of A playground, mini midway
Parliament for and pony rides were ideal
Pontiac; Federal amusements for children.
Minister of Transport, There was also a Pumpkin
Infrastructure & Show, in which children
Communities), and could decorate pumpkins and
Thorne Councillor put them on display. This ran
Janis Schock Pulley.
hand-in-hand with the Giant
Musical entertainment was provided Pumpkin and Vegetable
throughout the weekend. Bands From the Weigh-in.
Country and The Posse performed in the T he Horseshoe
Clarence Bretzlaff Building on Friday Tournament, open to all
evening, while Paulette Gauthier & Friends interested participants, was
entertained the crowed with a fiddle and held on Saturday morning ...
*Volunteer Jen Martin
(of Gananoque, ON) travelled
all the way from Potsdam
University in New York to serve
BBQ sausages!
12 The Hofbräuhaus News November - December 2006
*The Posse
and ran until early afternoon.
Unfortunately, Sunday’s
Horse Draw, generally a
popular event, was cancelled
due to drizzly weather.
The Outhouse Race is a
new “old” event for
Oktoberfest. The race was
part of the first Oktoberfest
and was resurrected in 2005
for Oktoberfest’s 20th th
Anniversary. To participate
in this hilarious race, one
must create an outhouse on
wheels and recruit a team of
t h r e e
individuals: 2
*Harvest Decoration
runners to push the outhouse
and 1 brave individual to ride
inside! This year’s race had
three entrants: Johnson Lake
Cottager’s Association (1st
place), The Pontiac Wagon
Train (2nd place) and
Oktoberfest’s Scheis Hause
(3rd place).
By far, the most anticipated
event of the weekend was
Sunday’s Oktoberfest Parade.
Lead by the Renfrew Highland
Pipes and Drums, the parade
wound its way though
Ladysmith while spectators
lined the streets. Master of
ceremonies Dr. Horner
entertained the crowd with his
commentary as the many
floats, antique and classic
cars passed. Spectators then
congregated in the Clarence
Bretzlaff Building for an
encore performance by the
Renfrew Highland Pipes and
Drums. A wonderful time was
had by all!
Oktoberfest Ladysmith is held
annually on the weekend before
Thanksgiving. Join the fun in 2007
on September 28 th to 30 th , visit
www.ladysmithoktoberfest.ca for
more information.
Please see page 12 for more
Ladysmith Oktoberfest photos.