This year's Oktoberfest #9 is starting to feel a little scary. Just put your finger to the wind or smell the air; watch your dog for strange behavior. 
Red sky in the morning?  Dorothy take warning! 

We have a coalescence of events that has not occurred anywhere; not, at least, by this observer's notes. Midwest weather has nothing on us;
Nor'easters either.  Just looky here. 

• All the authentic German style food you can shake a stick at.  Brats, Weisswurst, Wiener Schnitzel, Curry Wurst,Warm German Potato Salad, Sauerbraten, Rouladen, German Pu Pu Platter AND Sauerkraut Balls!
• We have the Run For A Beer, which has never before been used to kickoff Oktoberfest. Picture 450 screaming (dying) runners streaming into Oktoberfest Park in front of the Ale House at 11 AM to the oompah and rock sounds of the Ale House outdoor sound system; just before the tapping of the Oktoberfest keg.
• We have the 6th Chair Luge Challenge; the third Challenge, in 2011, being the event where himself, myself managed to almost die and garner embarrassing attention when found alive. "Better off dead" they must have been thinking.  I never heard the end of it, like never.  This event attracts throngs. I am a throng, are you?
• We have more than 40 kegs of the award winning Oktoberfest Lager, with Summer's End, a gold medal winning German Kolsch and Oma's Altbier, another German style beer, literally "Old Beer".
• We have 4 bands kicking off around 3 PM, beginning with Willie J Laws, and moving to Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers, progressing to Melanie & The Blue Shots and finallying with A Fine Connection.
• And, for the first time ever, the whole of downtown Gardner is joining the fray with its Fabulous Fall Festival. Gardner lets it all hang out on Saturday September 27. Ale House Shenanigans begin at 11 AM and end about 11 hours later. The Fabulous Fall Festival begins a bit earlier, at 9 AM and ends around 6 PM.

This is fun for all and everyone. Cutting the grass, making dinner, general chore doings, can all be hanged, for this day lasts and lasts and lasts and brings people together in a Party In The Street, Gardner's very own Perfect Storm.

It's only one day. Next year will be Oktoberfest #10. Maybe two days then? Let's get this on over first. Show up early, stay late. You got plans!

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Thanks for being there.

Rick Walton

Always Here