Oktoberfest features German food

Gladish Community & Cultural Center hopes to have some fun while fundraising for a new roof.

Donna Gwinn, Executive Director of Friends of Gladish, said there will be performances by two local bands during the event: Soulstice, featuring a variety of jazz and rock music and Auf Gehts, featuring traditional German music.

“It will be a party atmosphere,” Gwinn said.

One of the goals of Oktoberfest is to bring the community together and provide activities for both children and adults, Sandee Powell, Friends of Gladish Event and Public Space Manager, said.

“It’s an opportunity to be at the community center with your family,” Powell said.

Oktoberfest is also a celebration of the 20 years that the Friends of Gladish have owned the building, Barbara Petura, a member of the Friends of Gladish board of directors, said. The Friends of Gladish put on Oktoberfest to fund raise in order to fix the building’s leaking roof.

“The support for the Gladish building is important. It was the Pullman High School, it’s on the historic register,” Gwinn said. “It’s a landmark for Pullman.”

Oktoberfest will feature pumpkin decorating, face painting and cookie decorating for children, Gwinn said. Oktoberfest will include a silent auction, dancing and a beer stein holding contest. The stein holding contest cost $20 to enter.

“We have a great brewery (Paradise Creek Brewery) here in town,” Petura said. “We also have a wonderful winery, (Mary Seller’s Winery) here in town. So we thought we could feature local music, local beer and wine, and the BBQ.”

This event is meant to be relaxing and laid back, Petura said. Pulled pork and traditional German foods, such as bratwurst and sauerkraut, will be served during Oktoberfest.

“It’s just a fun, casual sort of Oktoberfest picnic, come have a good time,” Petura said.

Oktoberfest will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday in the Gladish Community and Cultural Center gymnasium. A $25 admission fee can be paid in advance at Dissmore’s IGA, Columbia Bank, Neill’s Flowers and Four Star Supply. General admission is $35 at the door and $10 for children. This fee will include food and music, and alcohol will be served to those over 21 for an extra fee.