Oktoberfest hits the big 40

October 4, 2025

The remaining original Oktoberfest organizers, seated from left, Louise Donaldson, Shirley Bretzlaff, Essie Schwartz, Roy Bretzlaff and Karen Kelly applaud longtime president Lorraine Bretzlaff (standing in blue dress) as she hugs emcee Mark Papousek (left) after she is honoured for her dedication to the festival with a plaque presented by director Kim Cluff (standing, right). See page eight for more of Okotberfest Ladysmith’s 40th celebrations.

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Sophie Kuijper Dickson

sophie@theequity.ca

Weeks of meatball making, sauerkraut soaking and potato mashing – to name but a few of the many labours of love performed by the team of volunteers behind Oktoberfest Ladysmith – all came to a head over the weekend as the 40th annual celebration of the town’s German heritage took centre stage at the community hall.

Hundreds of people, some dressed in traditional German outfits, filled the hall and surrounding grounds beginning Friday evening for three days of celebrations.

“This year, 1,000 pounds of sauerkraut will be consumed, 5,000 pounds of sausage will be consumed – and if you haven’t had the meatballs, for God’s sakes, have them – 200 pounds of meatballs as well,” declared Mark Papousek, emcee for Friday evening’s opening ceremony, as he welcomed those gathered.

Longtime president Lorraine Bretzlaff took to the stage to honour the five remaining original organizers of the festival who got it going those four decades ago, including its first president Louise Donaldson, as well as directors Shirley Bretzlaff, Essie Schwartz, Roy Bretzlaff and Karen Kelly.

“They’re the pioneers of Oktoberfest. This is to you guys. Your unwavering enthusiasm and hard work have been instrumental in establishing and growing Oktoberfest Ladysmith into the vibrant and impactful force it is today,” Bretzlaff said.

“Your contributions have touched countless lives and your legacy will continue to inspire and uplift others for years to come.”

These original organizers were then honoured with wooden plaques with thank-you messages, and president Bretzlaff also got a nice surprise with a plaque with her mother’s red cabbage recipe engraved into it as a thank you for her 26 years at the helm of the organizing committee.

Bretzlaff then ceded the stage to Donaldson, who spoke of the significance of the festival and shared memories from over the years. Then, Danny Sylvester climbed on stage for the remainder of the evening, drawing the crowd to the dance floor for country hit after country hit.

The rest of the weekend included a horseshoe tournament, a truck pull, a parade, live music from the likes of Pontiac favourite Gail Gavan and a performance from Brassmusix, a brass band that the German embassy brought to Canada for a few shows.

All in all, the weekend saw a few thousand people enjoy in some part of the festival.

The Schuhplattler performance on Sunday afternoon attracted many attendees at the 40th annual Oktoberfest in Ladysmith over the weekend.

Oktoberfest president Lorraine Bretzlaff welcomes attendees at Friday evening’s opening ceremony.

Oktoberfest director Tara Peck pins a corsage on one of the festival’s first directors, Shirley Bretzlaff, during the opening ceremony.

Throughout the weekend, volunteers were hard at work behind the bar and in the kitchen. From left, Rosemary Zimmerling, Rachel Faulkner, Debbie Zimmerling and Lise Dagenais take a break from slinging sauerkraut to pose for a picture.

Members of the Thorne fire department volunteered behind the Oktoberfest Ladysmith bar on Friday evening. Back row, from left, are Rick Leders, Samantha Renaud, Eric Desormeaux and front row, from left, Melissa Marchant, Chief Lee Laframboise, Alex Wagner, and Chris Thrun.

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