Sept 28 -Oct 1 , 2017
L a C r o s s e ’ s 5 7 t h
Oktoberfest
Celebration
Five things to know before you go :
1 ) The Golden Keg The Tapping of the Golden Keg is held on Friday morning and is a festival highlight for many . Craft Beer Night is held the evening before the Tapping , so if you can handle both of these events , along with the Maple Leaf Parade on Saturday , you are a true Oktoberfest professional and ( perhaps ) deserve your own button .
2 ) Maple Leaf Parade 100,000 people come to watch this 3 mile parade throughout La Crosse . Marching bands and floats ensure there is plenty of music , clapping , and laughing . Coolers come filled with a multitude of beverages , and the jovial mood is shared by all . Where else can you Polka with strangers ?
3 ) Torchlight Parade This is a must for families , and now marks the first night of the fest . If you have never attended an evening parade , you
must experience it . Watch marching bands and floats go by all decked out in glow sticks . Everything is lit up , including houses along the route .
4 ) Celebrity Spotting The word is out nationally on how great this festival is , so you are bound to see celebrities . Do you ever watch the History Channel series , American Pickers , featuring Frank Fritz ? He loves Oktoberfest , too .
5 ) Men in Lederhosen You cannot deny there are a lot of people dressed in German clothing who walk around kissing strangers and handing out buttons . The website warns : “ Other patrons may dress in authentic garb as well so if you approach someone in German-style wear , please ask first if they are part of the Oktoberfest organization .” In other words , just don ’ t assume you can kiss anyone in German gear . Enjoy !
Find out more at www . explorelacrosse . com
18 | Summer 2017 | Travel Midwest