October 22, 2016. Hikes, beer, and Oktoberfest

LOCATION:  With my aunt and uncle in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada WEATHER:  Sunny and crisp.  Highs in 30s   We went into town and took a nice hike around the reservoir in one of the city parks.  

 

Then we refreshed ourselves at a brand new brewery in town.  

We did a tasting tray, sampling some good lagers, IPAs and a stout.

 

The evening's excitement was Oktoberfest at the Canadian German club.  It started with a buffet of German foods.....sauerkraut, wurst, smoked pork, and more, followed by a desert table laden with Black Forest cake.  They cleared away the tables and the band started up.  It was time to dance!  

 

 

Many people were wearing traditional German clothes.  There were many darling children dressed up in their lederhosen and felt caps.

There was even a yodeler who belted out a song.

 Another custom was grape-stomping.  They brought out a barrel, grapes and water, and people started stomping!

My aunt and uncle danced almost every dance.  The dance floor was packed with dancers of all ages.  My uncle Leo spun me around the dance floor to a lively polka dance.  I did one line dance and the "chicken song".  The band was excellent, rotating a set of German songs, then more modern country songs.  It was a very fun night.  We left before the "midnight lunch" when apparently they serve yet more food!