Knights to hold annual Oktoberfest

On Sunday, October 18, the Sisters Knights of Columbus Roundtable will host their annual Oktoberfest.

Although this will be the Knights' Fifth Annual Oktoberfest, it will also be a year of firsts: the first time the event will be held at the church itself; the first year with a live German band; the first year that local beer will be featured; and the first time it's actually been held in October.

Event organizer, John Ries, said the annual Oktoberfest is the local Knights' principal fundraiser for their charitable outreach.

"We are a fraternal organization of Catholic men dedicated to taking care of the poor and downtrodden in our community," he said. "Last year, the majority of the funds we raised were used to support the Kiwanis Food Bank. We also helped out poor families that came in with no place to stay and things like that."

As an event focusing on the community, the Oktoberfest is open to everyone and will include dinner, live music, dancing, and a raffle. Raffle tickets are available in advance or at the door, and the winner does not have to be present to win. The list of specific prizes is yet to be announced but will include a handmade quilt.

The dinner will feature a traditional Bavarian menu, including sausages with sauerkraut and German potato salad. For dessert, there will be a choice of German chocolate cake or carrot cake, and the price includes a glass of beer, red or white wine, or a soft drink. This year, the event will feature Sisters-brewed beer from Three Creeks Brewing Co.

The Knights of Columbus is an international organization founded in 1882 as a way to provide charitable service and monetary support to local parishes and the community. Like their counterparts elsewhere, the Sisters Knights of Columbus donate their time and physical labor to community outreach, as well as the financial contributions that will be made possible through this event.

The Knights have 1.7 million members worldwide, and this year marks their 125th anniversary.

"During the last decade," said Ries, "the worldwide Knights have raised $1.235 billion for charity and donated $5 million to the Hurricane Katrina victims."

The Oktoberfest celebration will be held in the St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church Parish Hall and St. Winifried's Garden at 123 Trinity Way near Sisters High School. This is a great opportunity for guests to see the garden and the beautiful wood sculptures that surround it. The event will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 18.

The band Alpine Echoes will play live music from 2 to 4 p.m. The Echoes specialize in German, Scandinavian, and folk dance music and encourage audience participation by offering demonstrations and teaching authentic folk dances to participants.

They have performed at such venues as the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, the Leavenworth Bavarian Folk Festival, and many other events throughout the Northwest.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance from any Knight or at the door. Children's tickets for ages 6-12 are $5, and children five and under are free. Advance tickets are also available after Mass at St. Edward's or by calling John Ries at 549-2078.