By Ben Rodgers
Editor
ALLOUEZ – Get ready to break out your dirndls and lederhosen and be sure you can hoist a stein, because the biggest Oktoberfest party in Green Bay is back.
Lorelei Oktoberfest is Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21, in the parking lot of German restaurant that has called Allouez home for the past 67 years.
“We’re the only German restaurant left in Green Bay and all our recipes are the original ones left from the family that started the Lorelei, and they all came from Germany,” said Lynne Stahl, restaurant owner.
This is the 13th Lorelei Oktoberfest celebration.
The menu will feature staples of the German diet sausage, pretzels and beer.
Stahl said she ordered roughly 500 pounds of sausage for the event and ZoZo’s BBQ will be serving German pulled pork.
Beer lovers can sample suds from Bavaria to the Bay Area with Oktoberfest beers from Hacker Pschorr, Spaten, Hofbrau and Ayinger on the German side, and local brews from Hinterland, Badger State and Stillmank, to name a few.
Stahl said the beverages are only part of the fun.
Lorelei Oktoberfest will also feature entertainment from the WeisnFreund Oktoberfest Brass Band from 3-5:30 p.m. and The Cougars from 5:30-10 p.m. Friday.
Saturday’s lineup is the Greatest Hits Polka Band from noon to 4 p.m. and Big Mouth and the Powertool Horns from 5-10 p.m.
It’s a mix of traditional German music early, and local favorites late.
“It’s going to be your last festival before the snow flies pretty much, it’s a party,” Stahl said. “During the afternoon, we’ll have kids out here. At night, probably not as kid friendly because people are drinking beer and starting to party.”
As with any party, Lorelei Oktoberfest is asking for a $5 donation to cover the cost of the bands and also to help community partners.
“The community does a lot for us,” Stahl said. “You will see the CP Center here, they will be putting on wristbands, they believe in us. The Allouez Kiwanis work here, the Allouez Lions Club will be here tending bar, the Allouez Business Association will be helping us, too.”
Stahl estimates the event has raised more than $40,000 for the community over the past four years.
With 12 years experience under its gürtel and an anticipated 4,000 people in attendance, Stahl said the best way to get there is to use the shuttle.
The shuttle will run from the Bellin Health parking lot at 1920 Libal St. from 3-11 p.m. both nights.
“Use the shuttle,” Stahl said. “It will simplify things enormously. A lot of people still do park on the side streets, but it’s not a bad ride down to Libal Street. Every year we thank Bellin for the opportunity to use the parking lot.”