Big Bear Today Magazine September 2020

Big Bear Today September 2020—Page 5
Express Band opens 50th Oktoberfest
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Longtime favorites The Express Band open 50th annual Oktoberfest Sept. 12-13
N
ot how it was drawn up but the 50th
annual Big Bear Oktoberfest celebration
is still going on through
October beginning September 12-13, just
a little different.
Oktoberfest will mark its half-century
in Big Bear with a more intimate affair in
2020, outdoors under the pine trees at
Wyatt’s, located at the Convention Center.
Still with all the German revelry that has
made Big Bear Oktoberfest one of the toprated
fall celebrations in the country. So
intimate in fact that guests need to have
advance seat reservations to get in.
This year’s version won’t be as large
as previous years but will still have all the
traditional trappings of Oktoberfest, including
log sawing and stein holding competitions
and appearances by founding
burgermeister Hans Bandows. A full lineup
of German beers from Warsteiner,
bratwursts from a German butcher, strudel
from a German bakery, and the tastiest
homemade sauerkraut around are highlights.
2020 features an expanded menu
with additional German dishes like
sauerbraten for the first time, plus a limited
version of Wyatt’s menu.
Capacity is very limited since everything
is under the pines, but on the upside
there’s expanded dates to choose from in
addition to the usual Saturday and Sunday
schedule. Fridays have been added to
Oktoberfest starting Sept. 18 and Thursdays
evenings as well starting Sept. 24.
The Express Band opens 50th Big
Bear Oktoberfest, fitting because Southern
California’s favorite German festival
band has come to the mountains for nearly
four decades, still with an original lineup.
From traditional Bavarian tunes you expect
to hear at Oktoberfest to today’s favorites
and danceable stuff, The Express
knows how to keep reverlers engaged and
is well versed in the chicken dance and Ein
Prosit toast.
In contrast to the famed Doo Wah Riders,
playing Wyatt’s outdoor stage not just
one but two weekends this year. Through
the years incarnations of the Doo Wah Riders
have played “high energy country with
a Cajun twist” around the country, appearing
on concert bills with Garth Brooks,
George Strait, Alabama, Faith Hill, Tim
McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, and Willie
Nelson among others.
Yet it’s safe to say they’ve never
played the chicken dance nor led an Ein
Prosit toast. Both of which they’ll do plenty
on Oct. 16-18 and 23-25. “They promised
they’d learn both,” Oktoberfest’s Monica
Marini said. But will they play
Oktoberfest’s other zany songs, like “The
Burger Dance?”
Originals like “Glowing in the Ashes”
performed by the Doo Wah Riders in the
movie “Basic Instinct,” have made the
band a favorite in previous years and instead
of just one date, there’s six! A medley
of classic western songs is another Doo
Wah Riders staple.
Travel restrictions mean no bands
from Germany in 2020. Instead it will be
regional musicians including popular down
the hill bands that frequently play Wyatt’s.
Sean Wiggins is a previous Oktoberfest
favorite already on the schedule.
And even though German bands can’t
cross the pond to Big Bear, they’ll be here
in spirit. Aalbachtal Express Band along
with Mat’s Infinity have prerecorded segments
that will be shown on the big screen
to keep the celebration flowing.
And for the first time ever, Oktoberfest
can come to you if you can’t go to it!
Oktoberfest “Party in a Box” kits can be
delivered to lodging properties or residences
throughout the Valley with everything
needed to chicken at home. There’s
decorations, stein and German food, plus
mini-keg of Warsteiner.
Limited edition 50th anniversary
steins will be available for purchase, along
with exclusive T-shirts and more.
Advance seating reservations start at
$25. Complimentary take home service is
again available through Mountain Transit.
Call (909) 585-3000 for advance seat
reservations or www.BigBearEvents.com.
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