If you like beer… and dancing and German-inspired food, you’ve got one more shot at Muskoka Oktoberfest this Saturday. If you don’t like beer but would enjoy being ferried around on the OktoberBaus Brew Bus between four local craft breweries, then you’d better get your schnitzel together. Participating breweries – Sawdust City, Bracebridge Barrelhouse, Muskoka Brewery and Clear Lake Brewing – are welcoming visitors with special food menus, and some are pouring seasonal Festbiers to mark the occasion. There will be three bus start times between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and tickets are $80 through Eventbrite. “Oktoberfest has always been about more than beer and bratwurst,” said Norah Fountain, Muskoka Lakes Chamber executive director, and Muskoka Oktoberfest organizer for the past six years. “It’s an opportunity to bring people together, encourage residents and visitors to explore local businesses, and give Muskoka another reason to celebrate as the busy fall season winds down,” Fountain said. The Oktoberfest spirit extends well beyond the bus, however. Henrie’s Bistro serves up its Oktoberfest celebration in Mactier with traditional favourites, and PK Lodge in Bracebridge has jägerschnitzel on their menu. Oktoberfest Muskoka kicked off September 26 with a beer fest showcasing all four breweries at Muskoka BeerSpa. The crowd danced to the Golden Keys band and cheered as outgoing Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover, with help from Muskoka Lakes Mayor Peter Kelley, ‘Tapped the Keg’ to open the festival officially. “Oktoberfest has always been about more than beer and bratwurst,” said Norah Fountain, Muskoka Lakes Chamber executive director, and Muskoka Oktoberfest organizer for the past six years. “It’s an opportunity to bring people together, encourage residents and visitors to explore local businesses, and give Muskoka another reason to celebrate as the busy fall season winds down,” Fountain said.
