Bratwursts, brews, and oompah-pahs will spice up the seaside town of Langley on Whidbey Island during OktoberFest on October 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
Timed with the Langley Gets Lively activities held the first weekend of every month, OktoberFest gets under way with Friday Night Flights, a
walk-around wine tasting featuring Alsatian varietals and mouthwatering appetizers on Friday, October 2nd. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at The Chef's Pantry, The Edgecliff and Prima Bistro.
On Saturday October 3rd, the festivities continue throughout the weekend asvarious Langley venues sell commemorative steins good for month-long discounts on OktoberFest beer and a free first pour at either of the beer
gardens behind Island Angel Chocolates on 2nd Street on Saturday, October
3rd from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. The beer gardens are hosted by Diamond Knot
Brewery and features India Pale Ale, Hefeweizen and a special OktoberFest
Brew for adults and pouring in the adjacent beer garden is Diamond Knot Root
Beer, Ice Cream Floats, a Bavarian feast complete with authentic brown
mustard and sauerkraut brought to you by the South Whidbey Lions Club, and
face painting brought to you by Whidbey Children's Theater.
All throughout the weekend restaurants will tout special dishes in honor of
the event, and a cooking contest, including a pretzel demonstration,
sponsored by The Chef's Pantry will reap valuable rewards for winners and
tasters alike proceeds benefiting NorthWest Harvest. At noon on Sat., Sue
Frause, Master of Ceremonies, will tout the fanciful prancing of dogs in
Bavarian themed pet costumes and judges will crown the very first Miss and
Mister Oktoberpaws, with proceeds benefiting Whidbey Animals' Improvement
Foundation (WAIF). Felines are also encouraged to participate by getting
their owners to take a picture of them in costume and submitting it prior to
the contest. Contest rules and registration can be found online at
www.chefspantryonline.com/events or http://www.visitlangley.com
<http://www.visitlangley.com/> . Also, if you're in Langley, stop by The
Chef's Pantry or Island Angel Chocolates for more information.
Celebrants can munch on authentic grilled German sausages from The South
Whidbey Lions, learn how to make pretzels from Chef Donna Leahy and have
their faces painted, done by Whidbey Children's Theater. Restaurants will
lure revelers with its thirst-quenching lagers and ales, and the Bavarian
Village Players -- a 10-piece oompah band -- will serenade the festivities.
Complimentary polka lessons are on tap for this year's event at the Useless
Shed by Useless Bay Coffee and the Chef's Pantry has a home brewed beer
contest.
Blown glass pumpkins are located in storefronts throughout the seaside
village adding a touch of Langley flare calling attention to the talented
glass artists who work and reside on South Whidbey Island and show their
work at fine art galleries on First Street. A Count the Pumpkin contest is
sponsored by Museo Gallery. And as an extra treat, Langley visitors can take
the Whidbey Island Farm Tour, a self-guided exploration of working farms
specializing in area produce and products, on Saturday, Oct. 3rd and Sunday,
October 4th.
