Das Boot Of Beer Brings Cheer To This L.A. Mountain Resort
2021 Big Bear Oktoberfest Dates: Sept. 10-Nov. 6
By Alex Curry, PubClub.com Special Events Correspondent
There’s only one place where you can have a wood saw competition, live music, authentic German food, a petting zoo, take old western photo-ops, ride a wooden unicorn, ride a mechanical bull and carry a mini keg around while parting through it all, and that’s Big Bear’s Oktoberfest.
With an eclectic group of locals, tourists, families and rowdy singles there are activities for everyone.
Starting at 3:30 on a typical Saturday a line raps around Big Bear’s Convention Center and onto the street with festive thirsty people ready to get the party started.
Walking into the convention center feels extremely similar to that of a German beer hall. There are people dancing, laughing, eating and, most importantly, beer drinking!
Inside The Bierhall & The Das Boot
Once one enters the hall, you can purchase drink tickets, Big Bear mugs, mini kegs or the large DAS BOOT!
Families and groups stake out their spots early in order to enjoy the long day full of activities. Outside the hall is a mini fair that consists of vendors, food, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, a wooden rocking unicorn, more bars and PubClub.com’s personal favorite, the old western photo booth!
As the night progresses, the dance floor grows larger as the entire hall joins in doing The Cupid Shuffle. This is immediately followed by jumping, singing and dancing to the classic party anthem “Shout” that turns the Big Bears Convention Center into the scene straight out of “The Wedding Crashers.”
Once you clock out or got too intoxicated, Big Bear provides everyone with FREE shuttle rides home, a perfect ending to the night.
Big Bear’s Oktoberfest has been a hidden gem for many years and it’s definitely an event you don’t want to miss!
Big Bear Oktoberfest Facts
Location: Big Bear Convention Center
Address: 42900 W. Big Bear Blvd.
2017 Dates: Sept. 9-Oct. 28 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Hours: Saturday, noon-midnight. Sunday, noon-5:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20 on the peak weekends in October. Otherwise $15 in September. The Burgermeister Buck is a general ticket that can be used for both food and beer/wine. These tickets are sold in both $1.00 increments or in booklets of $20.00.
Package: The Über Burgermeister Party Pack includes a one liter Oktoberfest stein, four beer tickets, a German meal, admission and, of course, party beads, $77.
Phone: (909) 585-3000
Shuttle: The complimentary shuttles run from 6 p.m. on Saturday and will go door-to-door in the Big Bear Valley. The shuttles continue to operate until the last Oktoberfest partier is out of the building. Note: The shuttles will not take you to any other establishment that sells alcohol beverages. And new this year, the O’Doul’s Complimentary Shuttle is providing service from downtown Big Bear Lake in October. The shuttle will pick up people staying in lodging properties/home rentals within walking distance of the Big Bear Lake Village area. Pick-ups will begin at approximately 2 p.m. on Saturdays and continue through 6 p.m.
Website: www.bigbearevents.com
About the article’s author: Alex Curry is a PubClub.com special events party correspondent, and TV host for the Los Angeles Angels and Kings. Her website is: www.alex-curry.com/
Leave a Reply