I've again decided to continue with my own little "barometer" that I started two years ago to indicate how busy the motel across the street thinks the weekend might be. For reference, the normal during-the-week fare this year has been $49.99 (actually, last year it was $45.99). See to the right =>
Week 1 (12-13 Sep 2015) Okay, I guess I need your help. You see this week’s sign. What do you suppose it means? I’ll bet it’s not $0.00. Maybe every person gets their own price when they come in? Maybe that’s their way of saying “No Vacancy”? Or ??? Whatever. On to the business at hand. This week we were entertained by Southern California’s very own Express Band and the Big Bear Lake Polka Tots who were sporting 15 brand new dresses lovingly crafted by Sharon (she finished them about 11pm Friday night!). Just to be clear, only the Polka Tots had the dresses. Go ahead and click the link at the start of this paragraph to view the pictures for this 1st week.
Week 2 (19-20 Sep 2015) I guess the question has been answered. The Motel 6 marquee was still blank this weekend but two friends were charged $199 for their room Saturday night. Guess a blank sign gives them the option of 3-digit prices when weekends get busier. Meanwhile our friends will probably drive back home down the hill at night and back up in the morning. Onto the business at hand. This was the first weekend of three for this year’s band direct from Germany. The Franken Power Express Band is back although there are some different members than there were the last time they were here. As before, click on the link at the start of this paragraph to see pictures from the second weekend.
Week 3 (26-27 Sep 2015) How dull. Same old price... Well, it was the second week for the Franken Power Express Band direct from Germany, the second round of preliminaries for the Oktoberfest Queen contest where they carried 13 steins (65 lb.), and our son and his family and good friends joined the festivities. You’ll see them show up in several of my pictures as well as the lone video for the week. Just click on the link at the beginning of this paragraph and you’re on your way to view them.
Week 4 (2-4 Oct 2015) Guess the "Barometer” isn't much use any more. This was the weekend that includes Locals Night. That meant some of the staff (and all the band) had to work 6PM to Midnight on Friday, Noon to Midnight on Saturday, and Noon to 5:30PM on Sunday. Phew! All made it, though. It was also the last weekend for the Franken Power Express Band from Germany and the Semi-Finals of the Oktoberfest Queen Stein-Carrying Contest. Pictures and videos are available by clicking on the link at the beginning of this paragraph.
Week 5 (10-11 Oct 2015) Same “price” again. We welcomed back The Express Band, enjoyed my favorite dance group, The Cripple Creek Cloggers, and held the Finals of the 2015 Oktoberfest Queen Stein-Carrying Contest. My pictures and one video are available for you by clicking on the link at the beginning of this paragraph.
Oktoberfest Unplugged (16 Oct 2015) This was the third year for the event they’ve labeled "Oktoberfest Unplugged". Click the link at the start of this paragraph to the picture web page and you'll see an excellent description of what it's all about. And this one once again was the best one yet! You might want to consider joining us next year.
Week 6 (17-18 Oct 2015) After Friday night’s “Unplugged”, we continued “ regular” Oktoberfest by welcoming back The Express Band and the weekend’s dance group, The GTEV D’Oberlander Dancers, who are always guaranteed to please the audience. I did take a couple videos which I’ll plan on posting after the pictures. Click the link above and you’re on your way to seeing what I saw.
Week 7 (24-25 Oct 2015) Still a very useless “barometer”. Completed the seventh week which, in recent years, would have been the last one for the year. This year there’s still one to go. The Express Band was on the main stage and the Polka Tots performed for us on Saturday. The weather was decent on Saturday but turned a little cooler on Sunday. So, if you’re ready to see for yourself what week 7 held for us, hit the link at the beginning of this paragraph and off you go.
Week 8 (31 Oct 2015) Well, the pseudo-barometer was a flop; have to see if I can think of something more fun for next year. The eighth week was the final week (actually the final day) of the 45th Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest and once again that consisted of the always entertaining German Spooktacular. Children’s costume judging was held in the afternoon and adults later in the evening. Select the link at the start of this paragraph and you’ll see what we saw.