Live your fest life, in Yachats
Yachats will come alive with the sounds, smells and tastes of Bavaria this weekend as the Yachats Oktoberfest returns for its second year.
The festivities will begin at 5:30 pm on Friday, Sept. 27, with the ceremonial Tapping of the Keg at the Yachats Commons, followed by the singing of the Yachats Oktoberfest song accompanied by a 12-piece accordion band. The evening continues with Polkafest, a lively event featuring The Chicken Dance. Guests can enter a raffle to win an accordion with lessons. Admission is free, but a $10 ticket at the door will buy brats and pretzels a la carte. Beer is available for $10, or $15 including a commemorative stein.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, the celebration spreads throughout the village. From 11 am to 2 pm, revelers can participate in the Volkswalk, picking up a passport at the Commons Pavilion to fill with stamps from unique village shops. New this year, a "Find the Gnomes" treasure hunt at the shops will add extra intrigue for children and adults.
On Saturday evening, the festivities return to Yachats Commons for the Oktoberfest Dinner Dance, with the first seating from 4 to 6 pm and the second from 7 to 9 pm. Food will be catered by Anthony Velarde of Eat Well Organic Noodle in Florence, while the special Yachats Oktoberfest Brew comes from Rogue Ales in Newport.
The Accordion Polka Band will entice guests on to the dance floor, and the Yachats Big Band will lead the Hofbräuhaus Song, using new words to honor the Yachats Oktoberfest Brew. Tickets for the Oktoberfest Dinner Dance are $50, which includes a commemorative beer stein. Each seating is limited to 100 guests. Register at www.purplepass.com/yachatsfest.
The festival concludes on Sunday, Sept. 29, with a Traditional Harvest Worship service starting at 10 am at Yachats Community Presbyterian Church. The Polka Band will perform and accompany the hymns. While the Oktoberfest Chorale sings, a parade of fruits and vegetables from the bountiful seasonal harvest will be brought into the sanctuary. A German-themed reception will follow the service.
The festival is a fund-raiser for Yachats Community Presbyterian Church, with proceeds helping fund the food pantry, emergency shelter, transportation vouchers and connections to social services for people in need.