Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Prost! It's Ocktoberfest

Hold on to your Lederhosen! Oktoberfest, DPRCA's fall fundraising event, is just days away!

It has been three years since the annual fundraising event was held, and this time organizers look forward to a new location, the New Rockford Eagles Club, and a different format than in the past.

The doors to Oktoberfest open at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. Patrons can expect fantastic food, friendly competition and fall-themed fun!

On the menu are beer cheese soup, soft pretzels, various sausages and charcuterie cups, as well as a spread of sweet, fall treats.

Regular supporters of DPRCA may remember the wine tastings of the 2010s, and this year the tasting is back with a fun twist.

"It's more of game," said Elliott Schwab, Artistic Director for DPRCA. This time, patrons will take a "blind" taste test of all the wines and choose their favorite. The wines are selected by the sponsors, there are no rules, and no one will know the brands or varieties. Think of it as a smorgasbord of wine.

"There's probably going to be some really good wines, and some really cheap ones," Schwab quipped.

"It should be a fun, competitive event," added Erin Greiner, Assistant Director for DPRCA.

The winning wine will be on the menu at The Bistro and theatre during the next three shows.

Each person will also receive a wine glass to take home.

Any business, group or individual interested in sponsoring the wine tasting should contact Amy Cudworth or Sara Myhre. Each sponsor should provide two cases of wine for the tasting.

Voting will be open until 9:30 p.m., with the winning wine announced at 10 p.m.

If a brewski is more your style, there will be plenty on tap. The Eagles Club bar will be open, with the bartenders serving up their full array of beer, wine and liquor.

The wine tasting isn't the only "game" on the docket. There's also bingo. There will be four rounds played 50/50 style, and patrons can purchase as few or as many cards as they want for each one. The winner of each takes home 50 percent of the sales. Cards for the first two rounds are available for $5 each, with cards for the third and fourth each set at $10 and $15, respectively.

There will also be an opportunity to bid on a variety of items at the silent auction. The New Rockford Lions Club is helping coordinate the silent auction, and all proceeds go toward the bathroom project. You read that right. Plans are in the works to double the restroom space at Old Church Theatre. Help them shorten the bathroom line, and cut the intermission wait time, by donating to this project. It's a win, win!

Can't attend? Consider donating a silent auction item to be sold that night. Silent auction items can be dropped off at Bakers Dozen in downtown New Rockford anytime this week. Tax-deductible donations are also welcome at any time, made payable to DPRCA.

"There will be other fundraising opportunities for the bathroom project in the coming months," Greiner said. If you think the line to the lieu at OCT is too long, pitch in!

Tickets to Oktoberfest are $25 each, available in advance at http://www.dprca.com or at the door.

Go to Oktoberfest if you der!