Big Bear Summer Magazine 2019

. . . THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT . . .
49th Annual
Big Bear Oktoberfest
Four bands direct from Germany,
each playing two weekends. It’s the most
ambitious entertainment lineup ever for
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest in its 49 year
history, and perhaps a precursor to
celebrating its 50th next year.
Celebrate Southern California’s
favorite Oktoberfest over nine big
weekends from September 7-November
2. Find out why AOL named Big Bear
Oktoberfest the #1 Oktoberfest in
California and in the Top 10 nationwide!
Bohemian Street Musicians,
1 of 4 German bands!
Longtime favorite The Express Band
plays opening weekend on Sept. 7-8,
which features American Heroes tribute
with color guard, traditional tapping of
the first keg and
patriotic music. All
badge-carrying
personnel— i.e. police,
fire, military, medical,
etc.— get in for free
opening weekend with
proper ID.
Die Franken Power
Express returns to
Oktoberfest the
following two
weekends, Sept. 14-15
and 21-22. The eightpiece
Die Franken
Power Express Band
from Hammelburg
was here four years ago and was terrific.
The band tours in Europe with up to 20
performers, with the top eight traveling
to Big Bear for Oktoberfest.
Frankenrebellon Express takes the
stage the next two weekends. Die
Bohmische Strassemusikanten, which
translates into “Bohemian Street
Musicians,” was a favorite last year and
follows Oct. 12-13 and 19-20. The group
sports 12 players —half an orchestra—
making it one of the largest to ever take
Oktoberfest’s stage.
Officially the band formed in 2001
though many performers had played
together for years before that. Touring
throughout Bavaria along with Belgium
and Norway has made the band one of
the region’s most recognizable, mixing
upper Bavarian brass music with
modern tunes to create the ultimate
party experience.
Goldeisen Band was
an Oktoberfest favorite
three years ago and
returns Oct. 26-27 and
closing encore on Nov. 2
The group will sport
nine musicians when it
takes the stage for a mix
of German standards
and American favorites.
Oktoberfest’s
outdoor stage under the
pines has two bands
every Saturday playing
non-German music that
ranges from rock and
blues to country and folk
Enjoy a beer or bratwurst
while enjoying Big Bear’s beautiful fall
colors and the shoppers along the
Budenstrasse Avenue of the Booths.
All the bands are good but there’s
nothing like seeing the
famous Doo Wah
Riders performing
outdoors up close and
personal (Oct. 19). For
over 35 years the Doo
Wah Riders have
played “high energy
country with a Cajun
twist” around the
country, appearing in
concert with Garth
Brooks, George Strait,
Alabama, Faith Hill,
Dolly Parton, Tim
McGraw, Brooks and
Dunn, Willie Nelson
and many more. Also catch them
outdoors on June 8 and December 31 for
Wyatt’s Family New Year’s Eve party.
On tap Oktoberfesters enjoy German
favorites Spaten, Warsteiner and
Paulaner along with domestic offerings
plus cider and wine. The redecorated
Free Tickets, Clinics on ‘Mtn. Bike Holiday’
Celebrate International Ride Mountain Bike Day at Snow Summit with free lift
tickets, clinics, music and more on July 20. Festivities are held from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
with free bike park lift tickets for the first 100 guests on site from the Fox Racing booth.
There’s also a free two hour basic bike park clinic plus live music and free swag
giveaways. The official holiday of mountain biking, celebrated every year on July 20,
features decentralized, community based events around the globe. Mountain bike
brands, media, professionals, retailers, parks and local riders show their support for the
sport with group rides, fundraisers, races and demos.
Kraft Bier Haus features a wide
selection of favorite and seasonal
bottles. Sausages from a German
butcher, strudel from a German baker
and the tastiest sauerkraut around are
Outside Fun with Mechanical Bull,
Play Area
traditional highlights but there’s also
Cafe Americano food.
Dance groups like the Cripple Creek
Cloggers and Die Gemutlichen
Schuhplattlers add to festivities along
with contests including log sawing and
the famed Oktoberfest Queen stein
carrying competition.
Oktoberfest hours are from noonmidnight.
Sundays are family days from
noon–5:30 p.m., with balloons, face
painting, bounce houses, and special
contests for the youngsters. Kids get in
for free on Sundays, something parents
can do too with the coupon for free
Sunday adult admission in the
September and October editions of Big
Bear Today Magazine, available free at
fine lodges, restaurants and other
locations in town.
Party like the Burgermeister with allinclusive
packages that include
admission, commemorative stein and first
beer or wine, dinner, even beads. Buy in
advance starting August 1 at
www.bigbearevents.com. and be ready
to have fun as soon as you get there!
Read all about Ein Prosit in the
official the official souvenir Big Bear
Oktoberfest souvenir edition, FREE at
many of the same locations you found
Big Bear Summer 2019. Or go online to
bigbeartodaymag.com and view each
page just like you were holding the book
in your hands.
Call the Convention Center at (909)
585-3000 or BigBearEvents.com. ■
BIG BEAR SUMMER 2019 • 9