Oktoberfest today in downtown IM
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IRON MOUNTAIN -- The 12th-annual Oktoberfest kicks off at noon today and continues through 9 p.m. in downtown Iron Mountain.
The day will be filled with live music, German food and drinks, competitions, children’s activities and games.
Music starts at noon with local artists Norton & Chartier performing acoustic rock classics. They will be joined by a surprise guest. The 25-piece polka band Dork Kapella from Appleton, Wis., takes the stage at around 2:45 p.m. They appeared at the festival last year. Local rock band Govern takes the stage from 6:30 to 9 p.m., performing a variety of hits from the 1990s and 2000s.
The Mr. and Ms. Oktoberfest competition will be from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Contestants will be quizzed on attire, trivia and German words. The stein holding competition starts about 5:45 to about 6:30 p.m. The popular hammerschlagen, a tradition German game where players drive nails into a stump, will also take place. The children’s area will be open from noon to 6 p.m., featuring an obstacle course, toddler playland, giant slide and bounce house. D's Creative Faces will paint faces for five tickets or $5.
Food will be provided by Millie's Market and Harmony Hearth Bakery, both of Iron Mountain. New to the event will be Dublin's Patty Wagon of Eagle River, Wis., specializing in Irish foods, but leaning toward German-inspired dishes.
There will be nine beers on tap, including some Oktoberfest sections, plus non-alcoholic beer options, other canned beverages and five different wines.
Admission is $10 at the gate, cash or card. Children 12 and younger are admitted for free.
The Run Iron Mountain will also take place. Participants and volunteers received $5 off Oktoberfest admission. They are always looking for volunteers.
Third-shift volunteers at Oktoberfest will receive 15% in drink tokens and food vouchers, while the other two shift volunteers receive $10 in incentives.
The event is sponsored by the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority to support DDA programs.