LAKEPORT, Calif. – With a wiener dog race, Oktoberfest costume contest, an authentic German band including strolling accordion players and a spectacular beer and wine garden, Lake County will celebrate the return of Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 1.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Lakeport.

Despite the already-exciting blend of local craftspeople and service clubs who have rushed to be vendors at this year’s event, some booth spaces are still available.

Planned festivities for this day-long event include a Dachshund Derby wiener dog race as well as a rubber duckie regatta and other live entertainment all day including two live bands, contests such as pretzel eating, Dirndl/Lederhosen outfit, beer stein running and others.

A contest for the best authentic beer stein will be held at the Lakeport Party Store on Third Street across from Museum Park.

There also will be a pretzel guessing contest and even live radio feed on FM 88.7 throughout the day within a mile of the event. The event will conclude with a street dance featuring the Jimi Z Band.

Downtown merchants will participate in Oktoberfest and you may see many of them in costume when the day comes as well as the vendors along Main Street.

One of last year’s biggest highlights was the Dachshund Derby, a running of the wiener dogs. This year’s Oktoberfest is going to kick off with these little longies making their costumed dashes.

Dachshunds come from all over to participate with many of their clever human companions outfitting them in costumes. Large and small dachshunds are welcome and, of course, costumes are highly encouraged with cash prizes for speed and outfits.

The music has been stepped-up this year with two bands highlighted. During the afternoon Showcase the Band will step to the stage with authentic German music, merriment and audience participation from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The JimiZ Band will perform for a street dance with music of all sorts to delight the audience.

From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. a new activity will join the parade as we introduce a Rubber Duckie Regatta. Rubber duckies are available for purchase from the Lake County Chamber office in Lakeport for $5 with participants encouraged to add flair to their quacker for inclusion in the race.

Participants will have a chance to race their duckies in rain gutters from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. using whatever means of propulsion they can muster, so long as they don’t touch their ducks. Costumed participants will be given a 1-foot advantage. Sea Scout Ship Konocti Phoenix is assisting with the Rubber Duckie Race and will be receiving funds from the sale of the Ducks.

Throughout the day there will be an ongoing opportunity to participate in a drawing for cash prizes of $500, $250 and $250 sponsored by the JimiZ band. The drawing will be held at 9 p.m. from the Mediacom Stage and winners do not have to be present.

Dozens of vendors will line the streets of Lakeport with incredible food, clothing, artistry and more.

Last year’s Oktoberfest Lakeport offered a huge variety of shopping items and this year will be no different, with downtown merchants, including a new dessert/ice cream parlor and Lake County vendors offering a wide selection.

Since this celebration takes a nod from the original in Germany, there will be beer of all sorts. More than a dozen micro brews will be available to celebrants from all over the area.

There will be a beer tasting event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the shadow of the band stand and beer is available for purchase throughout the event.

Lake County’s incredible wineries also will be well represented for those who wish to partake of the grape.

Younger guests will have plenty of choices, too, with plans for a children’s activity area.

In addition to the Oktoberfest, the Lakeport Rotary club is holding its annual Konocti Challenge, a cycling event in which over 500 bicyclists participate in varying courses throughout Lake County, concluding at Oktoberfest.

For more information, visit www.Oktoberfest-Lakeport.com or contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092.

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