Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest in the USA: Leavenworth, WA

     

Posted By CotoBlogzz

Leavenworth, WA –  I have been blessed with not only having been in Munich during Oktoberfest, but riding a log raft down the Isar river, an oompah bands and the best German BBQ meats accompanied with Bavarian Ales and later on partaking of the festivities in downtown Bavaria.

Leavenworth, WA in October


Leavenworth,WA in December





Oktoberfest in Munich is one of the world's biggest annual parties which now attracts more than 6 million revelers each year.

While I cannot be in Bavaria each and every Oktoberfest, there are other cheaper alternatives. Recently,  U.S. News Travel in  a piece identifying the seven of the best Oktoberfest celebrations across the United States, selected Leavenworth as the place to celebrate Octoberfest in the US.  I concur. 


Oktoberfest in Leavernoworth takes place in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, about 115 miles east of Seattle, and expects 35,000 visitors this year. The schedule includes oompah bands, polka music and Bavarian-style dancing, as well as a children's Kinderplatz play area, complete with a rock climbing wall and a bounce house.

Most of the festivities will take place within the Festhalle and Tent area, located downtown on Front Street.

Entry tickets cost $10 on Friday and $20 on Saturday; food and beer cost extra. When your stein runs dry, the city, reminiscent  of a Bavarian village, provides plenty of diversion in the form of Bavarian-themed shops and restaurants.

But wait, there is more.  The Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (ICCA) provides world-class music and entertainment, offerings that are new to both ICCA and the Wenatchee Valley, such as its fall lineup consisting of

Icicle Creek Presents the Met: Live in HD, new opera series starts Saturday, October 5, 2013.  Superb technology and design of the Snowy Owl Theater create an unprecedented opportunity to bring world-class opera to the Wenatchee Valley, courtesy of a partnership with one of the world’s most-renowned and influential opera companies, the Metropolitan Opera. This series uses industry-leading High Definition satellite feed in 60-channel surround sound in the comfort of the Snowy Owl Theater. October 5, 2013 – May 10, 2014. 




New Documentary Film Series  
In a partnership with local community leaders, Icicle Creek offers  a monthly documentary screening in a series entitled Confluence at Icicle Creek. Designed to foster critical thinking and moral deliberation on the issues of the day, each month will see films in the following categories: Nature & Environment, Outdoor Adventure, Arts & Culture, Food & Farming, Social & Economic Justice,  Health and Personal Journeys. All screenings at Snowy Owl Theater on the first Thursday of each month, starting October 3, 2013. A featured area non-profit and subject experts will be featured in a post-showing discussion session. 

New Americana Roots Music Series - 
Blending Icicle Creek’s education mission with pure entertainment, the Rustic Roots Music Series explores the roots of American music. This series offers a sampling of artists performing in various categories of music that flow from the original music of our country, in the rustic splendor of Snowy Owl Theater. Concerts will feature bluegrass, blues, Americana, folk, singer-songwriter and who knows – maybe some jazz and rock. Things kick off October 17, 2013 with a performance by folk music’s renaissance man, John McCutcheon – singer, songwriter, storyteller, master guitarist, activist and all-around entertaining man. 

Renewed Classical Series – 
Led by Artistic Director and pianist Oksana Ezhokina, this Season the Icicle Creek Chamber Players (ICCP) bring “BIG WORKS/BIG IDEAS” to Icicle Creek – performing composers or compositions that constitute big ideas, or major works in the body of classical music. The Chamber Players series kicks off October 18, 2013, and concludes in April, 2014. 

Other Special Events – 
In an ongoing partnership with the Sleeping Lady Foundation, Icicle Creek ipresents several more unique events, starting with the political humor of Capitol Stepson October 4, 2013. And coming next spring, a lecture and workshops on March 14, 2014 by Julia Cameron (author of The Artist’s Way), and a lecture on March 15, 2014by the renowned author Sherman Alexie (Reservations Blues, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian). Community events are front and center as well: Framed, a photography contest sponsored by Icicle Brewing Company including a screening of the documentary film STAND (September 28, 2013) and the run of this year’s Amberleaf Theatre presentation featuring local actors, dancers and singers in the annual send-up of all things Leavenworth (September 26-27 and 29, 2013).


.For more information, contact Lilia Grundy, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts - (509) 548-6347 x42, or email - lgrundy@icicle.org 

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