Great Northwest Oktoberfest

The Great Northwest Oktoberfest returns to Depot Park in downtown Whitefish, staged by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce. Authentic German beer, food, music, and dancing set the tone, with Bavarski, the MAC-toberfest Band, and the Flathead's German orchestra, the Bavarian Echoes. Nightly stein-holding and log-sawing contests, Saturday keg hurling, Beer Barrel Races, and a chicken dance put the crowd on stage, and the Hop Queen Pageant crowns royalty under the Bigtop. Sign up for contests a half hour ahead at the table left of the stage; the chicken dance needs no signup.

Our take: Come Saturday if you want keg hurling on top of the nightly stein-holding and log-sawing contests.