Remsen celebrates it's 36th annual Oktoberfest

(Photo by Diane Stangl) Marge Gengler, Caitlin Sudtelgte, Oktoberfest Princess, Delanee Nilles and Nicole Bohnenkamp dance the 'Chicken Dance' while Bruce Bradley of Browton, Minn. sings the popular tune during activities held in St. Mary's gym on October 31. [Click to enlarge]

On Saturday, October 31, 2009 the Remsen community once again came together to welcome hundreds of people from the surrounding area and from many different states to help them celebrate their heritage, a good harvest and love of community.

It was a beautiful day to browse the craft booths at the Avalon Ballroom and City Hall auditorium and to just do a little shopping in downtown Remsen. People were able to browse the craft show which boasted over 70 booths of arts and craft in both the Avalon Ballroom and City Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also downtown at the Remsen Public Library was a Luxembourg Heritage Society of Northwest Iowa display that offered a display of items donated by long-time member Frances Hansen of Alton, Iowa. Members of the society were on hand from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. to great visitors.

(Photo by Diane Stangl) Caitlin Sudtelgte, (left) and Zajara Galles, (center) listen while Sadie Trytten, Zajara's aunt, answers the question "Why do you like living in Remsen?" during the question and answer session of the Prince and Princess contest held in St. Mary's gym during Oktoberfest on Sat., October 31, 2009. [Click to enlarge]

New this year was the "Little Luxembourg Prince and Princess" contest that was held in the St. Mary's gym at 1:30 p.m. Children ages 2-10 dressed in traditional Luxembourg-style clothing and were judged on their appearance and their answers to the following questions: Why do you like living in Remsen?; What is Oktoberfest?; and If I'm chosen to be a Prince or Princess, I will... The prince and princess contestants were: Zajara Galles, 2, daughter of Lee and Angie Galles; Caitlin Sudtelgte, 9, daughter of Rob and Jaime Sudtelgte; Max Pepper, 3, son of Josh and Erica Pepper; Delanee Nilles, 9, daughter of Dan and Tammy Nilles; Torey Tentinger, 5, daughter of Travis and Kelly Tentinger; Peyton Frederes, 5, daughter of Chris and Shonden Frederes, Octavia Gallas, 4, daughter of Lee and Angie Galles; Hunter Tentinger, 10, son of Travis and Kelly Tentinger; Brooklyn Frederes, 9, daughter of Chris and Shonden Frederes; Xavier Galles, 6, son of Lee and Angie Galles, and Cade Pepper, 6, son of Josh and Erica Pepper. The Oktoberfest Queen and court helped with the contest and following the question and answer part of the contest, the kids were able to have a break and show off the dance steps they had learned previous to the competition. The kids had a great time and when the judges returned, the announcement was made that this years Oktoberfest Prince would be Xavier Galles and the Oktoberfest Princess chosen was Delanee Nilles. The new Prince and Princess each received a $50 savings bond from the Oktoberfest committee and following the competition the children were delighted when they all got to ride the Oktoberfest float around Remsen.

The large crowd that was gathered in St. Mary's gymnasium were then entertained by the talents of the "Shining Stars", a newly formed group of area youngsters who entertained the crowd with their singing and dancing.

Then from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. everyone was able to enjoy the music of Bruce Bradley of Browton, Minn. who sang and played some great polka music on the trumpet and tuba with his fellow musicians. The RSM Oktoberfest band performed for the crowd from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

(Photo by Diane Stangl) The Oktobefest queen and her court kept themselves busy with the many activities going on throughout the day on October, 31, 2009. Pictured front row from left are: Queen, Jessica Kass, Alyssa Cluck, and Stacie Bortscheller. Back row from left are: Samantha Tentinger and Nicole Bohnenkamp. Jessica Kass who was chose as this years Oktobefest Queen received a $200 scholarship from the Oktoberfest committee. [Click to enlarge]

Throughout the afternoon visitors could partake of some liquid refreshment at the beer garden from 1:00 - 9:00 p.m. which featured a new souvenir item this year, Das Boot - a 1 liter plastic boot on a lanyard. Das Boot is a German tradition in many German bars, where the boot is filled with beer and passed around the table. The last person to take a sip from the boot has to buy the next one.

As in years past, everyone was invited to partake of the traditional Luxembourg/German and American, all-you-can-eat, family style dinner that was served in St. Mary's cafeteria from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Luxembourg/German portion of the meal featured old favorites such as Luxembourg treipen, bratwurst, headcheese, German potato salad and German kraut which were all prepared locally. Those who were not to fond of treipen or headcheese were not disappointed since the meal also featured American favorites such as broasted chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes and dressing. The meal is served family style on long tables set up in St. Mary's cafeteria where folks from all over the area were able to visit and leave with satisfied tummies thanks to the many volunteers who work in the kitchen and the dining area.

It takes a village and hardworking people like those who live in Remsen to make this event happen each year and in the end it is well worth the effort.

(Photo by Diane Stangl) Titus Landegent of Le Mars, directs the "Shining Stars" group that performed in the gym during Oktoberfest. The newly formed group of boys and girls from the area, entertained the crowd gathered in St. Mary's gym by singing and dancing to several different selections. [Click to enlarge]

(Photo by Diane Stangl) Chuck Weiland and Rita Henrich are busy helping out a visitor with her selections at the gift and souvenir stand set up in St. Mary's gym during Oktoberfest on October 31, 2009. [Click to enlarge]

(Photo by Diane Stangl) Tom Letsche, left, takes a sip from a cold mug of beer that was served up by Jeff Schorg, sporting his traditional beer hat, and Kim Phillips at the Beer Garden that was open for business from 1:00 - 9:00 p.m. in St. Mary's gym during Oktoberfest. Tom Letsche, left, takes a sip from a cold mug of beer that was served up by Jeff Schorg, sporting his traditional beer hat, and Kim Phillips at the Beer Garden that was open for business from 1:00 - 9:00 p.m. in St. Mary's gym during Oktoberfest. [Click to enlarge]