Oktober Fest in Portal Arizona 2011

The annual Oktober Fest was held today in downtown Portal.  As a fund raiser for Portal Rescue sponsored by the SewWhat Club this years events were again centered in Schaughency Park, the Post Office, and Myrtle Kraft Library.  As well as a number of vendors there was the silent auction of donated items, the bake sale, and of course lots of bratwurst.  The Oktober Fest girls were in evidence, busty blonde maidens every one and Dr. Topoff exchanged his PhD for an MD for the day to warn all the locals about the dangers of shingles (the roofing kind).  It was a pleasant day in Portal and the whole valley seemed to be in evidence.

Oktober Fest Girls and bake sale

The Doktor is in

Oktober Fest Panorama

Portal, Arizona - Oktober Fest

A long day that started early in Portal, Arizona yesterday.  Oktober Fest celebrations were held around the Portal Post Office just past the Portal Peak Lodge in Cave Creek Canyon.  There was a large turnout throughout the day and it is hard to believe that so many people live in the area.  Picked up a copy of the new Portal Rodeo community phone book for the Painted Pony Resort, sold several copies of the Bootheel Photodocumentation Project, and ate some great food.  Below is a time lapse video from the event with some good Polka music.  Though I did not hear any specific German accents, I did hear several northern European accents during the day so there was some international presence at the festivities.

Oktober Feast in Portal, Arizona

I received an email from the Chiricahua Sky Island, Rodeo announcing the upcoming Oktoberfest in Portal.  This is a fun event with lots of good food and activities.

"This year's OKTOBERFEST will be held on Saturday, October 23rd, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. AZ time, in front of the Portal Library and Post Office.  Sponsored by Sew What, this worthwhile fundraiser supports scholarships for local Rodeo and Portal area high school seniors.  Come and enjoy great German food at the CAFE under the sycamore trees, open at 11:00 a.m: bratwurst, cabbage rolls, and delicious salads.  Stop by the BAKE SALE and check out the wonderful cakes, pies, breads, and casseroles, all homemade by our outstanding local cooks.  Check out all sorts of great surprises at the SILENT AUCTION."

The community calendar at PortalRodeo.com has the listing. 

Note:  The times are Arizona time, not New Mexico time (that's 10 - 2 New Mexico time).  Daylight savings time will bring the times in both states back into sync.