This Year’s Line-up will Feature an Expanded German Entertainment
The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest celebrates 44 years of German style family fun and good times this year. Rated Southern California’s #1 Oktoberfest, this Fall’s festival once again will expand the entertainment line-up to feature two bands from Germany and more free contests.
The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest has continuously expanded its entertainment offerings over the past five years, providing guests with a wide variety of music, dance groups and contests. With the addition of the outside Rocktoberfest Spaten stage last year, Oktoberfest visitors enjoyed traditional Oktoberfest German bands and a variety of Country, Classic Rock and Blues bands.
This year the event will feature two German bands playing over three of the seven weekends. A long time favorite of Big Bear’s festival, southern California’s own, “The Express,” will once again kick-off of the festivities on Sept. 13 & 14 and will return later in October to round-out the festival 44th year, performing again Oct. 11, 12, 18, 19 & 25.
The Goldeizen Band hails from Bavaria and will perform with eight musicians on Sept. 20, 21 & 27. A local favorite in Southern Germany, the Goldeizen have two Oktoberfest hits that were nominated in 2013 for the Best Oktoberfest Hits CD produced annually by the Munich Oktoberfest. The Aalbachtal Express also hails from Southern Germany and will be performing Sept. 28, Oct. 3, 4 & 5. This 11-piece band is famous for its authenticity and upbeat performances. Playing at festivals and fairs throughout Europe, the Aalbachtal-Express have performed to 1 million plus fans since they began playing together.
Oktoberfest guests over the years have participated in free contests including Log Sawing, Steinholding and Beer Pong. Traditionally, the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest provides over 70 opportunities for guests to participate in. Additional Log Sawing and Stein-Holding contests have been added to the outdoor stage. As always, signs-up are taken the day of the contests and are limited on a first-come basis.
Oktoberfest once again gets “unplugged” an additional Friday night this year. Fans will be treated to an inside look into the history and early beginnings of Oktoberfest while enjoying a night of top German food and beers. The five-course German dinner will be paired with a variety of German beers and spirits. Entertainment includes story telling by the Uber-Burgermeister and founder of Oktoberfest, Hans Bandows, as well as several of Oktoberfest’s key personalities.
One of the country’s most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations, Big Bear’s Oktoberfest offers non-stop entertainment, dancing and zany German antics exclusive to Big Bear’s festival for seven weekends, September 13 through October 25. Other Oktoberfest festivities include carnival games, bounce houses, “Samson” the mechanical bull, and the Buden Strasse (Ave. of the Booths) which provides a variety of arts and crafts vendors.
The annual Fall celebration kicks off with American’s Hero weekend on Saturday, September 13 offering free admission for all past and present military and their immediate families, as well as firefighters and law enforcement. The festival closes on Saturday, October 25 with the annual costume contests for both adults and children.
The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest provides an excuse to enjoy a weekend away from the stress and obligations of everyday life in a beautiful alpine setting. The festival takes place high in the San Bernardino mountains, approximately two hours away from the greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego communities. For ticket information, to pre-purchase tickets, lodging packages and a complete schedule of event festivities, log on to:
www.bigbearevents.com
909.585.3000
42900 Big Bear Blvd. • Big Bear Lake
