Center Stage at Oktoberfest

For the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States, what can be better than a 3-mile parade, over a week long of events, and the best heritage music to hit the area!  Not to mention the brats and cheese curds either, which just mentioning has made me hungry.  Friday morning marks the start of Oktoberfest in La Crosse, leading up to the opening weekend with the Maple Leaf Parade.  And to help start off the celebration, head down to hear some of the best bands from the area.

I have been a lifetime La Crosse resident, so I grew up with Oktoberfest every year.  It is definitely a different kind of celebration from when you’re 5-years-old to when you’re 24-years-old, or even 80-years-old.  There’s so much to do, but the best part is getting together with friends, family or networking your way around the Oktoberfest Marshal’s who can be found wearing lederhosen.  And apparently lederhosen can be quite expensive, who knew?

Oktoberfest music is spread out to many different styles and backgrounds.  Of course you’re going to hear the traditional music like polka and German style music.  But this is Oktoberfest in Wisconsin, so you’re going to get much more.

Headlining the opening night of entertainment on Friday will be local classic rock band, The Remainders on the South Side Main Stage at 8:00 p.m.  They’re always a get live band, especially since they have a fairly large song catalog.  But if you feel the need to start off your Oktoberfesting with traditional polka, why not check out the Jim Busta Band on the South Side Garden Stage on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.  I had the privilege to sit in with them on a few gigs this past summer, and they are definitely worth watching.  Each band member plays a number of instruments, so there’s rarely a time that they can’t play a requested song.

The next day that popped out at me for entertainment was Thursday, October 1st.  On the South Side Main Stage at 7:00 p.m., 80’s cover band Brat Pack Radio will take the stage.  You can read my review from their concert when they played at Weinerfest this past year at the Oktoberfest Grounds.  And following BPR is the one and only Pat McCurdy.  Pat’s a long time fan of the La Crosse area, and holds a pretty large fan base here.  I’ve also reviewed him the last two times I’ve seen him, which have both been this year too. The rest of the fest consists of more classic rock, country, blues and good old polka.

Don’t forget about music in the Maple Leaf Parade too.  There will be plenty of floats that have live bands, dancers, bikers, and lawnmowers.  Yes, I did say lawnmowers, we live in Wisconsin.  Also, watch out for the many marching bands from area schools.  I only say that because I had to put up with four years of marching in the parade, wearing those heavy uniforms and playing an instrument while walking.  It’s harder than it looks.

For a complete list of Oktoberfest events, click here.

-BC