Week 1 (07-08 Sep 2019) For the opening weekend we’ll be entertained on the main stage by Southern California’s very own Express Band and our very own Kleine Bär Tänzer (Little Bear Dancers). It’s our traditional America’s Heroes weekend with free admission for past and present Military, Fire Fighters, and Law Enforcement.
Week 2 KTLA Remote Broadcast (14 Sep 2019) The second weekend started with a remote broadcast by TV station KTLA (Channel 5 in Los Angeles) from Big Bear Lake’s Oktoberfest. I’ve included the clips of the on-air video as well as the pictures I took to show you the behind the scenes happenings.
Week 2 (14-15 Sep 2019) Next came the second week of Oktoberfest for real and it brought a German band that’s an old friend from the past to the main stage, the Franken Power Express. The featured dance group will be Die Gemütlichen Schuhplattler. This Saturday will also include a preliminary round of the Oktoberfest Queen Stein Carrying contest.
Week 3 (21-22 Sep 2019) The Franken Power Express will complete their second (of two) weekends and our featured dance group will be Big Bear's very own Kleine Bär Tänzer. We’ll also have another preliminary round of the Oktoberfest Queen Stein Carrying contest.
Week 3.5 (25 Sep 2019 Visit to KTLA) I have a special walk-on for you this week. The Big Bear Oktoberfest folk were invited to visit the KTLA 5 studios in Hollywood to show off their stuff on tv. You can click on the Week 3.5 link at the beginning of this paragraph to see what transpired.
Week 4 (28-29 Sep 2019) This will be the first of two weekends for a second band from Germany, Frankenrebellen. They were a hit for their first time visit with us last year and are back for an encore. Our very own Kleine Bär Tänzer (Little Bear Dancers) will be our dance group for the weekend. And, if that’s not enough, it’s also the Semi-Final round of the Oktoberfest Queen Stein Carrying contest!
Week 5 (04-06 Oct 2019) This is a 3-day weekend since the traditional Local’s Night is Friday evening. It will also be Frankenrebellen's second (and last) weekend with us. We'll also welcome back my favorite of the professional dance groups, The Cripple Creek Cloggers. They sure do get the audience’s attention and I’ll most likely include a couple videos I capture of their performances because I do like them - and I can. Saturday will also include the 2019 Oktoberfest Queen Contest Finals.
Week 5.9 (11 Oct 2019) In yet another surprise, Dan invited a TV crew from LA’s Channel 4 to Big Bear to film a promo. I’ve at least got some pictures of what went on and maybe some video will be added after it airs on tv.
Week 6 (12-13 Oct 2019) This week will mark the first of two weekends for the returning Die Böhmische Straßenmusikanten, direct from Germany and the dancers will be the GTEV D’Oberlander Dancers.
Week 6.9 - Oktoberfest Unplugged (18 Oct 2019) This is the seventh year for the event they’ve labeled "Oktoberfest Unplugged” and it requires tickets to be purchased in advance. Chef Rey and his staff always do an outstanding job with the menu and several of the “originals” will join us and recall their versions of the “good old days”. Musical entertainment wii be provided by The Express Duo.
Week 7 (19-20 Oct 2019) It’s the second weekend for Die Böhmische Straßenmusikanten, direct from Germany. We'll also be entertained again by Big Bear’s Kleine Bär Tänzer.
Week 8 (26-27 Oct 2019) Well, if this was three year’s ago, this would be our final weekend. However... This week’s main stage entertainment will include the returning (and very popular) Goldeisen who were last with us a few years ago and Die Kleine Bär Tänzers will again be the featured dancers. It being the weekend before Halloween, it's also the famous Halloween German Spooktacular. There are costume contests for both the children and the adults and I’ll try to do them justice with pictures and video.
Week 9 - (02 Nov 2019) Once again this year we have a ninth week. Joining us again to finish out the 49th Annual Oktoberfest on the main stage will be The Goldeisen. The Kleine Bär Tänzer will also perform for us and our Contest Finals will serve to wrap up the year.
Tribute for Richard Millener If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to add a special tribute to a friend that is no longer with us. Actually Richard was a friend not just to me but to all of Big Bear and unfortunately we lost him earlier this year. I hope you can find the time to run through the pictures and remember with fond memories the Big Bear institution we lost. I’m sure you’ll recognize him because he’s been a fixture with us for many years at many events.