Shilo & Region Service Club is hosting the first Oktoberfest celebration in more than 20 years at CFB Shilo on Oct. 14. The public and area residents are welcome. Tickets are still available. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag.
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News
For those wishing to have some traditional German-folk fun this weekend, tickets are still available for the Shilo & Region Service Club’s Oktoberfest on Oct. 14 held at the Canadian Armed Forces Base.
The event, being run for the first time in more than 20 years, is open to the public to share a great meal and evening of entertainment to celebrate the annual Bavarian and German festival.
The 21-member German Band From Winnipeg will be sounding off the evening with musical performances to get event participants revelling in traditional music, with showcases from German dancers throughout the evening.
Doors to the Community Centre Annex L25 building will open at 5:30 p.m. with the band taking centre stage at 6 p.m. Folk dancers will start schuhplatter toe-tapping at 6:30 p.m.
Rozy Lebel, OPI for the event, explained that Oktoberfest was a huge celebration of fun when German troops were posted at CFB Shilo, before leaving in 2001.
“We are reigniting the tradition for the many community members and soldiers who remained in Shilo,” she said.
The world-renowned and annual Oktoberfest event was first held in Munich as part of wedding celebrations when King Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxen-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810. Citizens were invited to the festivities held in the surrounding fields, which are still used today.
More than 60 volunteers have been working since late May to organize the local evening event and 7 p.m. dinner of Bratwurst sausage, brotchen (traditional bread) and sauerkraut, Lebel said. There will be a selection of German and Canadian beers, red and white wine, as well as non-alcoholic beverage choices.
The evening will also include special tributes, such as Fokko’s Corner serving shooters, dedicated to longtime Shilo & Region Service Club member Fokko Buurm, who died in June. The night’s 50/50 draw proceeds will be split equally between The Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society and donated in Buurm’s name.
The Shilo & Region Service Club will use ticket proceeds to support charitable foundations in the community, such as providing scholarships, assisting Cadets and helping community members in need, LeBel said.
Tickets are available from all three messes on Base, Mess Administration Office, RCA Museum and Carberry Legion for $35.
Courtesy transportation is being offered from Brandon to Base and back again. The bus leaves the CFB Shilo bus stop next to McDonald’s on Richmond at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., leaves the downtown stop at 8th/Rosser at 5:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. with return trips leaving CFB Shilo at 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
