| B.P Oktoberfest to offer the ‘best of the wurst’ |
By: Wendy Reuer
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Posted: Monday, October 19, 2009 10:45 pm
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Dressed in traditional German garb, Tamzen “Tammy” Johnson prepares some of the items that will be used as decor and as raffle items in the King Ludwig’s Treasure Chest raffle at Oktoberfest at the Servicemen’s Club in Blooming Prairie Saturday.
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By WENDY REUER
wreuer@owatonna.com
BLOOMING PRAIRIE — Lutefisk, apple skivers, and lefse often flourish throughout Steele County this time of year. But on Saturday, Blooming Prairie will give the county’s German roots a nod as it hosts Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest, featuring beer tasting, live music, King Ludwig’s treasure chest, a meterwurst eating contest and a traditional German dinner will begin at 5 p.m. at the Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club.
The event will raise money for the Steele County Historical Society’s new History Center. SCHS Director Laura Resler said she expects the money raised from the event will help the SCHS meet its goal of matching the $1 million Lange Grant, given to build the History Center.
A challenge has been put to the Blooming Prairie area as one Blooming Prairie family — who wishes to remain anonymous — has pledged to match money raised by the Blooming Prairie community up to $5,000.
Tamzen Johnson, SCHS board member said the event is based on the German Holiday, started by King Ludwig in 1810 to celebrate the harvest season and his marriage to Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.
“Being in a farming community we thought that was very appropriate,” Johnson said. “(Blooming Prairie) has a small pocket of German people. The German influence is very, very small but we’re here.”
She added the Servicemen’s Club used to host an Oktoberfest but hasn’t done so for close a decade.
According to Nancy Vaillancourt, Blooming Prairie librarian and historian, Germans comprised the highest nationality group of those that settled in Steele County during the mid- to late 1800s.
The German culture will be alive and well at Oktoberfest as Johnson along with the assistance of Leanne Hanson, JoAnne Sorenson and Joyce Johns will be adding German-themed decor and dress throughout the Serviceman’s Club.
German immigrant and retired teacher, Austra Hanson has also helped by donating authentic German artifacts and pieces, including German steins decorated with wildflowers, a traditional staple of Oktoberfest.
King Ludwig’s influence will also be seen with the King Ludwig’s Treasure Chest raffle. Participants may buy a key to the chest which inside holds a number of items including the grand prize, $500 in cash.
“Throughout the evening the people will come to the treasure chest and try to open it with their keys. This will be continuous through the night,” Johnson said.
A meterwurst eating contest will begin at 6 p.m. The free-contest fashioned after modern-day eating contests will challenge participants to eat a meter’s worth of sausage. Steve’s Meat Market, owned by Blooming Prairie natives has donated the meats for Oktoberfest to help the community meet its fundraising challenge.
Of course, no German festival is complete without a beer tasting throughout the evening.
The Luverne Wanous Concertina will be from 5 to 7 p.m. and the Snowy River Band will play from 7 to 11 p.m.
“We’re trying to bring live music for multi-generations,” Johnson said.
Advance tickets are available in Owatonna and Blooming Prairie. For more information call the Steele County Historical Society at 451-1420.
Wendy Reuer can be reached at 444-1565.
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