Oktoberfest Pendleton reaps rewards for the community
By Terry Murry on Friday, October 13th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
News release from Oktoberfest Pendleton:
It is the best of all things when you have a good time and do good things for your community. Oktoberfest Pendleton is a fun fall gathering that brings Pendleton’s own beer and brats and lets revelers have a great time, while good things come back to the community from the event. The October 7th event brought over 900 “fun havers” to the Happy Canyon arena on a beautiful fall afternoon to enjoy music, beer, ciders, hard seltzers, cocktails, great food, a bucking mechanical pig, grape-stomping and more!
Oktoberfest Pendleton is committed to giving back to the community of Pendleton. The nonprofit partners who join in by providing volunteers, help share the proceeds from the event and it also funds scholarships to high school students in Umatilla County. In 2023, the Pendleton City Club, Pendleton Kiwanis, Cason’s Place, Pendleton Young Life, Pendleton Basketball Club’s 8th grade girls’ team, parents from the Pendleton High School Senior Class Party Committee, Pendleton Parks and Recreation and the Main Street Cowboys aided the event with nearly 100 volunteers. In the past 7 events, the Oktoberfest Pendleton Committee has put on, they have given $135,000.00 back to Pendleton nonprofit organizations and high school scholarships. In 2023, the event donated $19,000 back to the community, including $3,000 in scholarships.
A main food featured were brats from Hill Meat Company, who have been a great partner and the Title Sponsor since the inaugural year of 2015. Pendleton Swim Association was also on-site selling their famous burgers to raise funds for their organization. We also had 3rd Generation Barbecue and Lil’ Orbits Donuts to provide plenty of food options and short lines.
Hodgen Distributing provided 29 different varieties of craft brews including 3 from Prodigal Son Brewery and Pub, as well as ciders and Suzie’s Hard Seltzers from Barhyte Specialty Foods. New this year to the event was Pendleton Underground Tours’ mobile Shamrock Card Room Bar making signature cocktails. They also brought their Hill Meat mechanical bucking pig for adults and kids to ride. Also, Cerebella Winery hosted a grape-stomping contest that was thoroughly enjoyed by all spectators and participants. The Pendleton Basketball Club 8th grade girls hosted children’s activities; with Pendleton Parks and Recreation and Kirby Nagelhout Construction providing the games, including the giant beer mugs for the “stein hoist” competition for kids and adults.
Music included traditional German music as well as classic rock and roll from bands Brass Fire & Imperial Twang. The Oktoberfest Committee members are Niki Naughton, Dianna Melton, Erica Stewart, Robin and Mike Fitzmorris, Diana Ellis, and Kristin Lindberg. Prost to all who came and enjoyed. See you next year!
Photo by Chantell Reid
