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  • Brown dried trees and vegetation line one side of the Elk River bank and tall conifer pines trees are clustered on the other side with the backdrop of the snow capped Rocky Mountains far in the distance. The Elk River in Fernie, BC on a winter day with brown and dried vegetation, barren trees and sturdy pine trees at the river's banks and snowy Rocky Mountains in the distance.

Image by Alexas Fotos

You don’t have to travel to Germany to get in on the Oktoberfest fun. The second annual Oktoberfest Dinner & Party is happening in Fernie on October 12 and is sure to be a raucous good time for all.

The event takes place at the Fernie Alpine Resort from 3 pm to 12 am. There will be plenty of oompah music to get the crowd in the Oktoberfest mood and tons of activity in the plaza for everyone to enjoy; the beverage gardens will have a DJ and will be open to all ages. A kids activity station will be set up to keep the littles entertained. 

The food at the event will, of course, also have a strong Bavarian flair. Three different kinds of bratwurst will be served as well as scrumptious pretzels and plenty of craft beer. As the daytime portion of Fernie’s Oktoberfest is a family-friendly affair, there will be suds for the kids too - in the form of rootbeer. 

Tickets for dinner are currently available online and are $49.95 per person. The price includes the buffet dinner, entry to the after-party and a branded Fernie Oktoberfest glass stein to keep. Doors open at 6:30 pm and dinner will be served at 7 pm. The dinner and after-party are 19+. After dinner, there will be some Bavarian-inspired contests (such as a yodelling contest and stein holding competition). Oktoberfest attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their finest lederhosen and dimdl dresses. A contest will be held to determine the best Oktoberfest outfit. 

A full day of Oktoberfest merriment uses up a lot of energy. At the end of the festivities, you’ll need some relaxing accommodation in the Fernie area. The Fernie Stanford resort offers spacious rooms, an award-winning restaurant, friendly staff, and a stunning aquatic centre - all wrapped up in an idyllic alpine setting.