Little royalty, big boots new for Oktoberfest 2009

(Photo contributed) The 2009 Remsen Oktoberfest court includes: (clockwise) Samantha Tentinger, Alyssa Cluck, Queen Jessica Kass, Stacie Bortscheller and Nicole Bohnenkamp. [Click to enlarge]

Remsen's heritage is coming to life this weekend for Oktoberfest including a new Little Luxembourg Prince and Princess contest.

Children ages 2-10 dressed in traditional Luxembourgan-style clothes, can enter the event at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in St. Mary's High School's gymnasium.

"It was something we did a couple of years ago that was fun for kids to get involved in, and it's fun for the community to see them all dressed up," said Angie Galles, one of the event chairmen. "We also teach them how to dance."

The Oktoberfest fun runs all day Saturday, starting with a craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. boasting more than 70 booths.

The show is hosted at both the Avalon Ballroom at 114 Fulton St. and the Remsen City Hall Auditorium at 205 Fulton St. in downtown Remsen.

Live entertainment will light up St. Mary's High School's gymnasium from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

One of the featured performers is the Bruce Bradley band, of Brownton, Minn., performing from 3-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.

The Remsen St. Mary's Oktoberfest Band will also be performing from 5-6 p.m.

The Luxembourg Heritage Society of Northwest Iowa will offer a display of holdings at the Remsen Library meeting room from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thirsty? The Beer Garden will be open from 1-9 p.m in gymnasium.

Hungry? The traditional all-you-can-eat German, Luxembourgan and American feast begins at 3 p.m. and is served until 8 p.m. in St. Mary's School cafeteria.

Diners can load up their plates with such Luxembourg & German favorites as Luxembourg treipen, bratwurst, headcheese, German potato salad and German saurkraut.

American fare includes roast beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing and cole slaw.

Remsen Oktoberfest gifts and souvenirs will be available including a new item this year, Das Boots -- 1-liter plastic boots on a lanyard.

They're a nod to a German tradition, Galles explained.

"At almost any German bar you go to, they'll have these large glass boots," she said. "They fill them with beer and pass them around the table, and the last person to take a sip has to buy the next one."

For one more taste of Oktoberfest, enjoy the talents of the Oktoberfest men's choir, singing at Sunday morning services at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Christ Lutheran Church and St. Mary's Church, all in Remsen.

Oktoberfest chairmen include Galles and her husband Lee Galles and Laura and Randy Schiltz.