The autumn tradition of celebrating all things German brought out the masses for the Ladysmith Oktoberfest this past weekend, and do they know how to throw a party.

Friday evening’s opening ceremonies featured comments from Sophie Chatel, MP for Pontiac, Jane Toller, warden of MRC Pontiac, and Karen Kelly, mayor of the Municipality of Thorne in which Ladysmith is located. Emcee, Gerry Bimm from Valley Heritage Radio, led everyone gathered in the Clarence Bretzlaff building in a hearty rendition of “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit” or, more commonly, Ein Prosit – a toast to well-being.

The schedule of events mirrored closely that of last year with a robust collection of activities to entertain participants of all ages and affinities. There were no less than five different bands taking stage over the two days including Young Bucks, Gillan Rutz, The Plager Boys, Kyle Felhaver and closing act get-your-dancing-shoes-ready, East Bound of Bytown. Add to that an afternoon of Bavarian music with the Harmonious Reeds and attendees had every opportunity to get their groove on.

One of the feature events off-stage was the parade on Saturday morning which saw a sea of spectators lined up along the road from just past Bretzlaff’s Store right up to and beyond the gates of the community centre. There were more entries than last year and these featured everything from a 1902 horse buggy rigged with a motor to a family of candy throwers in traditional German garb, and everything in-between. The line-up of vehicles in the parade was particularly impressive with buffed-up chrome glistening in the sun for as far as the eye could see.

Winning entries for the classic vehicles in the parade were determined by Denver Thrun, Ron Girard and Gerry Bimm. The award for Best Car given to Cecil Flowers from Petawawa and his 1956 Chevrolet Belair, and for Best Truck to Jim Wallace and his 1930 Ford Model A.

The other awards were broken down thematically with the Best Heritage entry awarded to Essie Schwartz, her son Wade and his daughter Elissa. Essie has been in the Oktoberfest parade every year for the last 38 and her enthusiasm hasn’t waned. Country Class was awarded to mounted Becky and Amanda Early for their Cawood Cowgirl and Indian entry. And finally, the Parade Envy award was passed along to Terry Ramsay and his 2001 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic with California Sidecar Trike conversion.

Add horseshoes, face-painting, lumberjack demonstrations, a raft of crafts and vendor booths and plenty of food and refreshment options, and what do you get? One great party.

Ein Prosit! See you next year.

Glen Hartle, The Equity Gerda Bretzlaff, a longstanding supporter of all things German, offered a toast with her beer stein at Ladysmith’s 38th celebration of Oktoberfest.

The Plager Boys kicked off Saturday afternoon entertainment on the main stage in the Clarence Bretzlaff building.

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