I've decided to continue with my own little "barometer" that I started last year to indicate how busy the motel across the street thinks the weekend might be. For reference, the normal during-the-week fare this year is $45.99 (actually, last year it was $49.99). See to the right =>
Week 1 (13-14 Sep 2014) We start off 2014 with a surprising "barometer" reading of $79.99 as shown to the right. That's $10 more than last year's first weekend. As always, the opening weekend is celebrated as America's Heroes Weekend with free admission for past and present military, law enforcement, & fire fighter personnel. The Express Band, Southern California's Premier German band, (click on the band name to visit their website) performed along with Big Bear's own Polka Tots. Incidentally, this is The Express Band's 25th appearance at Big Bear Lake's Oktoberfest.
Week 2 (20-21 Sep 2014) Well, look at that, we've already reached $99.99 (per person per night). Last year's high was $89.99. Maybe we'll reach triple digit dollars this year? By the way, during the week, it went down to $39.99. This week started our first of three consecutive weekends with a band direct from Germany. This week we were entertained by The Goldeisen Band, direct from Bavaria, Germany. Click on the band's name to visit their website (but you'll need your favorite translator). Also performing were the Polka Tots and the Big Bear Lake Clogging Company.
Week 2.9 (26 Sep 2014) We've got some bonus coverage this "week" of our visit to KTLA Channel 5 in LA. As we seem to do every 2 years, we made a visit to the highly rated Morning Show on KTLA to advertise Big Bear Lake's Oktoberfest. The entire German band joined us and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves - even if there was a lot of just waiting around. I didn't manage to join the "brunch" Monica was nice enough to host afterwords but I do have pictures (and KTLA video) of our fun visit to the studio.
Week 3 (27-28 Sep 2014) Hey, we hit $99.99 again! Surprise. This was a strange weekend in terms of the German Bands. The band that was with us last week (The Goldeisen Band), performed again for us on Saturday and The Aalbachtal-Express joined us on Sunday and will return again for the entire fourth weekend. We were also entertained by The D'Oberlander Dancers and I recorded one of their routines and have included the video on the weekly "pictures" page.
Week 4 (3-5 Oct 2014) Interesting. The "barometer" didn't go above $99.99 again this weekend (actually, it was at $69.99 Friday night for locals night). Well, this was the last weekend for The Aalbachtal-Express band from Germany (sniff) and they should all be home by now. They were a fun band and I think the general consensus was that we'd all like them back again if possible. Our dance group this weekend was the Big Bear Lake Polka Tots.
Week 5 (11-12 Oct 2014) Once again, our "barometer" tops out at $99.99. Anyone beginning to notice a trend here? (By the way, it is still going down to $39.99 during the week.) We welcomed back The Express Band this week and they'll be with us until this year's event ends on Oct. 25th. The dancers for the weekend are probably my favorite group - The Cripple Creek Cloggers and I've included a video I recorded of one of their routines. So, select the link to Week 5 and enjoy!
Oktoberfest Unplugged (17 Oct 2014) Our "barometer" only hit $69.99 for this Friday night event. This was the third time they've hosted what they call "Oktoberfest Unplugged". Click the link to the picture web page and you'll see an excellent description of what it's all about. And this one was the best one yet! You might want to consider joining us next year.
Week 6 (18-19 Oct 2014) Yup, we hit $99.99 again. Guess they don't have a "10" to replace the first "9"? Next weekend should tell the tale. The Express Band continued their run and we were also entertained by the always well-received The Danube-Swabian Dance Group who all have to be descendants of the Danube-Swabian area of Germany in order to be part of the group. Pictures (and video) are ready to go; select the link for Week 6 and enjoy!
Week 7 (25 Oct 2014) You're probably way ahead of me on this. You knew it was headed this way, right? Turns out every weekend this year was $99.99 except for the first. Quite a different pattern from last year. This weekend (actually just a Saturday) finished off the 44th Annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest. The Big Bear Lake Polka Tots performed one last time for the year and the Halloween Spooktacular brought both Children's and Adult costume contests. So, time to select the link for Week 7 and enjoy the videos and pictures it was my pleasure to do for you!