OKTOBERFEST 2009

Houseboating Excursions stops at the largest fall festival in our area, La Crosse's Oktoberfest, in La Crosse,WI. This is an annual event that is in their 49th year. It starts out on a Friday with a small festmasters parade and the tapping of a Golden Keg of beer. Brats with sauerkraut is the traditional food of Oktoberfest. On the following Saturday there is a huge parade that lasts several hours and goes for a couple of miles. The streets on the parade route start getting lined up with chairs, tables, vehicles, and blankets as early as midnight Friday. There are floats and marching bands from all over the area. La Crosse's Oktoberfest is so big they have to split it into 2 different fest grounds, one located near the downtown area and the other is located on the northside of town. Each of the fest grounds have their own carnival rides, entertainment stage, food service, and beer tents. Oktoberfest goes for 9 days with different entertainment every night. The northside fest ground is accessible by boat from the Black River at Copeland Park. Our favorite day was Wednesday for Craft Beer Night, which has different brewmasters from the area displaying their own unique beer brands. A GREAT NIGHT!! On Thursday night there is a torch light parade, the bands and floats are all lit up with different lights and some are carrying torch lights, it is a smaller parade than the one on Saturday but interesting to see. There is always something going on for the whole family to enjoy.
Come follow Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley as we take you to another cruise stop and provide more information.