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? <strong>The</strong> 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, <strong>The</strong>re 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 <strong>The</strong> 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 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hofbräuhaus</strong> <strong>News</strong> November - December 2006 *<strong>The</strong> Posse and ran until early afternoon. Unfortunately, Sunday’s Horse Draw, generally a popular event, was cancelled due to drizzly weather. <strong>The</strong> Outhouse Race is a new “old” event for Oktoberfest. <strong>The</strong> 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), <strong>The</strong> 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.
Oktoberfest Directors and Dignitaries: Back Row (L-R): Gilles Ouimet, Brent Peck, Denver Bretzlaff, Marlene Pasch, Elson Schock, Nelda Bretzlaff, Front Row (L-R): Muriel Laprise, President Lorraine Bretzlaff-Cluff, Joyce Schock, Kathy Zacharias, Charlotte L’Ecuyer, Freda Krose, Lawrence Cannon, Kathy Peck all photos this page by Sheri-Lyn Schock Parade - Western Horseback Rider 2006 Ladysmith Oktoberfest, Sept. 30 th , Oct. 1 st and 2 nd Volunteer David Schock Volunteer Andrea Grant Parade: 1930 Ford Model-A Roadster Volunteers - L-R: Karl Erfle, Gilles Ouimette 13 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Hofbräuhaus</strong> <strong>News</strong> November - December 2006 Cameron and Christopher Perfitt
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