Elisabeth Olesen, Sertoma’s Birgit Okamoto and Marilyn Bollinger are dressed for Oktoberfest on Saturday in Gardnerville’s Heritage Park.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
More than 500 people turned out for Carson Valley Sertoma’s 29th annual Oktoberfest in Heritage Park on Saturday.
Gardnerville resident Elisabeth Olesen, who originally hails from Germany, dressed for the occasion.
“Douglas County is very senior friendly, and it’s got so much to offer,” she said. “We went to the barn tour, the wine walk, we dress up and we have lots of fun. I’m so glad we found each other. We have great friends and do a lot together.”
The Bratwurst Band from Reno belted out the classics as mothers showed their children how to do the “Chicken Dance.”
Okamoto said she was concerned that Friday’s smoke might affect the celebration, but the only smoke on Saturday came from the brats and potatoes on the grill.
“Heritage Park was bustling with families enjoying German music, supplied by the Bratwurst Band out of Reno, and eating sausage platters and soft pretzels with cheese, a popular new item this year,” Okamoto said.
She offered “vielen dank” to Minden’s Shoetree Brewing for supplying some of the craft beer served at the event.
“Funds raised will be going back to Douglas County via W.A.V.E., Moxy-Up, who volunteered at the event, and other charities that Sertoma recognizes,” she said. “Sertoma also wants to send out a huge thank-you to Douglas County Juvenile Probation Department for their help with the event. Thanks to the community for supporting veterans and youth through your purchases and enjoyment of Oktoberfest.”
For more information about Sertoma, visit www.carsonvalleysertoma.org
