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Don Your Lederhosen & Dirndl to the 21st Annual Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain Resort Oct. 13-14

Oct. 11, 2012. There are lots of reasons for you to head to Sugar Mountain Resort Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13th and 14th. Not only will the Harbour Town Fest Band provide a festive Bavarian atmosphere to Sugar’s 21st annual Oktoberfest celebration but the national award winning Avery Smooth Dancers and the Mountain Laurel Cloggers will get your toes a tapin’. Admission, parking and shuttle service are free. Rain or shine the festival will go on.

“The weather looks promising so we’re all excited because the weather has such a large impact on the attendance,” said Kim Jochl with Sugar Mountain Resort. She added that last year, the weather was similar to the forecast this weekend and Oktoberfest had a record turnout.

Take in the beautiful fall foliage, cool, comfortable mountain temperatures, and a weekend full of fall festival activities from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. Be sure to bring the kids because the event is for the whole family.

“I think people like to get up here in the fall and have the temperatures cool and autumn-like,” said Jochl. “We’re all looking forward to a great event this weekend and I think we’re prepared. … We’re experienced in putting it on and we’re excited to put on another one. It keeps growing year after year.”

An array of artisans, craftspeople and food vendors open their booths at 10 a.m. each day. Jochl said they are expecting over 60 vendors for this year’s event. A sampling of this year’s country craft fair sale items include: pottery, wood and glass folk art, books by local and regional authors, stained glass sun-catchers, hair accessories, handmade wooden crafts, hand crafted furniture, ceramics, handmade pet feeders and beds, polymer clay items, crafted rustic bark, handmade bath and body products, jewelry, home-made baked goods, jams and jellies, kettle corn, funnel cake, crazy fries and much more. For those interested in becoming a vendor it’s best to call 828-898-4521 x262 or log onto www.skisugar.com/oktoberfest to find a downloadable vendor invitation and vendor reservation form.

Enjoy a panoramic view of the North Carolina High Country, Southern Virginia and Eastern Tennessee’s beautiful fall foliage from the mile and a half long scenic chairlift ride to Sugar’s 5,300 foot peak. Everyone, even mountain bikers are welcome to ride the lift.

A children’s activity area, located in the Ski School Play Yard will keep the young ones entertained each day from noon until 4 p.m. The children’s area includes bounce and play stations, hay rides and a chance to meet Sugar Bear and Sweetie Bear. Face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, and drinks are also available in the children’s activity area.

An Oktoberfest isn’t complete without the sounds of an Oom Pah Band. From noon until 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday the 15 piece Harbour Towne Fest Band guarantees to bring the sounds, dances and enthusiasm of Bavaria to Sugar Mountain.

Adding to the Oktoberfest excitement the Avery Smooth Dancers will perform on Saturday at 1 p.m. and the Mountain Laurel Cloggers will perform on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Both dance groups are comprised of local Avery high school, middle school and elementary school students. They will perform Big Circle Appalachian smooth dancing; the oldest form of square dancing in the United States. The steps and patterns are derived from Scottish and English country dancing and are the forerunner of American clogging steps today.

Bavarian cuisine including bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, strudel and pretzels will be available starting at 11 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. To help wash it down an ample supply of Spaten beer will generously flow each day until 5 p.m. Spaten Oktoberfest beer, created in 1872 and brewed in Munich, Germany, is the world’s first Oktoberfest beer. If Bavarian cuisine isn’t your preference American hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, and other festive foods will be on hand.

Shop for the upcoming fall and winter seasons at Sugar Mountain Resort’s Sports and Gift Shop located on the first level of the main lodge building. The Ski Shop will offer 30 percent off all 2012 and older winter apparel and footwear plus all Spyder Sample items will be 50-70 percent off. Sale prices are available only during the two-day Oktoberfest from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Some merchandise exclusions do apply. For example all accessories including, but not limited to goggles, gloves, hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and all other souvenir items will not be on sale. New 2013 winter merchandise will also be available at regular retail. Commemorative Oktoberfest and souvenir items can also be purchased in the Sports Shop or outside, under the tent on the main celebration deck.

If you’re planning to spend the weekend take advantage of on-mountain lodging discounts of 25 percent. Lodging details and contact information can be found at www.skisugar.com/oktoberfest.

For a comprehensive hourly weather forecast beginning one week prior to the Oktoberfest please go to Ray’s Weather Center http://averyweather.com/Forecast/Oktoberfest.

For additional information or if you are interested in volunteering, or becoming a vendor please call Sugar Mountain Resort’s administrative office at 828-898-4521 or visit www.skisugar.com/oktoberfest.