Celebrate the Season in German Tradition
Nestled in the Cascade Mountains between Seattle and Wenatchee is a community unlike any other in the Northwest. Leavenworth is like stepping briefly out of the U.S. and into an alpine village somewhere in Germany. Everything from the local shops and restaurants to the banks, offices and even McDonald’s are done in Bavarian style. The surrounding peaks create a dynamic landscape in any direction, making you feel like you’ve been planted in the Alps. There are many ways to experience Leavenworth whether you’re a family, couple, group of friends, or just stopping through on a drive. The Leavenworth Oktoberfest celebration is in full swing this month and is the most popular time for tourists. Thousands of visitors travel from all over to one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations you’ll find outside of Munich. Many come in authentic lederhosen and dirndls, others with beer goggles, giant hats and their liter steins. The festival dates this year are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3, Oct. 9 and 10 and Oct. 16 and 17. Admission is $10 on Friday nights and $20 for all day on Saturday. If you haven’t booked your stay yet, be prepared to fork over a handful of dough on a last-minute cancellation, or you might get lucky with a home rental on VRBO, FlipKey or Airbnb. For last minute reservations, your best bet is probably to stay in Wenatchee. Many do this each year as there is a shuttle service that will run you back and forth to Leavenworth both Friday and Saturday for a small charge. Once in town, the shuttles are also free in an effort to cut down on traffic and drunk driving. The shops in town are all open during this time, and you don’t want to miss the procession that officially opens the event each Saturday. A parade of locals dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing march through the streets with flags followed by polka music and the bier wagon. City leaders are brought in by horse-drawn carriage to the official tapping of the keg at 1pm. Once inside the festival, you will find four venues featuring live music, arts and crafts, traditional German food, shopping and of course plenty of taps featuring regional and imported German beers like Paulaner, Warsteiner, and Ayinger. This year bands from the U.S., Canada and Germany will be entertaining in all four tents. You will also find traditional German dance presentations, group toasts, and you may very well end up doing the chicken dance. Your admission fee does not include any food, drink or souvenirs, and you will need to purchase tickets inside to get food and drink. You can bring your own stein to fill up, or purchase a souvenir mug to take home with you as well. The lines are usually longest in the beer halls so look outside for a shorter line to get a drink. Wine and soda are also available. Also back by popular demand this year is the Saturday morning half and full marathon. This popular run zig zags through the neighborhoods just outside of town. Finishers are rewarded with a medal that also doubles as a bottle opener! The event is family friendly by day but tends to get a little more rowdy in the evening, so if you plan in bringing the little ones, get an early start on the festivities. Families can also visit Kinderplatz which is an area just for kids with climbing wall, bouncy toys, and L-Bow the Clown. There is live polka music outside the festival in the town square as well. These October weekends are the most popular of the year, so be sure to book plenty early as hotels and condos fill up fast. If large crowds and large celebrations aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other weekends that the town slows down, but still offers plenty for everyone. November marks the start of the Christmas season celebration and the Christkindlmarket. The three-day market over Thanksgiving weekend includes food, arts and crafts, unique Christmas gifts and a visit from St. Nick himself. After Thanksgiving, the downtown is lit up with Christmas lights during the evening, and once the snow falls, kids can go sledding right downtown. On any other day, there is plenty to see and do. Take a stroll down the main drag and visit some of the unique stores like the hat shop. Try the world’s hottest pepper sauce or sample countless cheeses at the Cheesemonger’s shop. Enjoy a brat or have a nice romantic dinner at one of the many restaurants. You can pick up everything from funny souvenirs to authentic crafts made in Germany. Another reason thousands of people flock to Leavenworth is for wine tasting. The Columbia and Cascade Valleys are becoming recognized more each year for their superb growing conditions, and the awards keep racking up for vintners who call these areas home. There are literally dozens of wineries and tasting rooms around. You can walk, hire a guide or even book a limo tour that will take you out of the city to some additional tasting rooms and you won’t have to worry about driving. Most tasting rooms will charge a fee to taste but waive that fee with the purchase of a bottle. This is a great time to stock up for your own supply or pick up early Christmas gifts. If you enjoy a drive, the two lane highways surrounding town are beautiful for a leisurely cruise. The fall colors are some of the best around, and there are plenty of turnouts to snap a few photos. You can also drive up to the top of Steven’s Pass and stop into Lake Wenatchee State Park, or if the snow is falling, drop into Steven’s Pass Ski hill for a day on the slopes. There are also opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and during the summer months fishing, rafting and tubing the rivers. Your options are limitless, and with so much to do, you’ll want to visit during all four seasons. Most of the hotels and bed and breakfasts are within walking distance of town. If you book a condo or vacation rental, it’s usually less than ten minutes away. Leavenworth may sound like a “tourist trap” town, but it is truly proud of its Bavarian traditions, and the locals are happy to show you around and teach you a German tradition or two. For a list of events, attractions, places to eat, and places to stay visit www.leavenworth.org.
