Guten Tag!

I have now finally recovered from Fremont Oktoberfest! What an amazing festival party it was and now I look back on things I loved most. Miss Buxom Contest was so exciting with many beautiful contestants with funny German names. So much dancing and drinking at festival my feet felt tired for days after. I tried so many biers I can’t remember which was my favortien! Texas Chainsaw Contest was so fun I got pumpkin guts all over myself!

For now I say farewell to you until next year, which will bring bigger and more amazing Fremont Oktoberfest all over again. I loved drinking with everyone and I hope you had fun with me too!

Prost!

Team Division

1. Georgetown Brewing Company with average time of 17:34
2. Safety 3rd with average time of 17:59
3. Keep Fremont Free with average time of 19:54

Beer Belly Division – Men’s

1. Michael Bromund – 20:08
2. Brent Magill – 21:17
3. Gus Corso – 21:49

Beer Belly Division – Women’s

1. Cristine Skoglund – 27:13
2. Marisa Mancke – 27:50
3. Danielle Okuly  - 29:52

Overall Men’s Division

1. Brett Winegar – 15:44
2. Chris Charles – 15:52
3. Alex Henry – 16:13

Overall Women’s Division

1. Rose Wetzel – 18:00
2. Erika Daligcon – 19:05
3. Kristin Wier – 20:20

For full results go to: http://onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=4055

1. What did it feel like to have your name announced as the winner of Miss Buxom?

Annie Being announced as Miss Buxom was abso-freakin-lutely awesome. At first I was confused because I think my stage name was announced but then I realized that it was me. I did a lot of fist pumping – it was glorious.

2.  What did you do to prepare for the big competition?

Annie & Eileen Well, we definitely put our ‘das boots’ to use in the moments leading up to going on stage. But really, our costumes were the biggest part of the prep — since we literally crafted them item-by-item, it took a week or so. And for the record — we were fun & funky — girls don’t wear lederhosen you crazy people!!

3. What did you think of the steep competition?

Annie & Eileen We were pretty confident at first — we were the first contestants to the Miss Buxom stage and we were the only ones until about 15 minutes before the sign up was over!! Then we got really nervous — the guys in the *real* lederhosen and the girl in the *real* dirndl (we were told they were actually purchased IN Germany!!!) definitely gave us a run for our money. Although, I think our stage names really got us some crowd approval!

4. What tips would you give to those looking to enter this year?

Annie & Eileen Make use of the time backstage — we got free beer for our ‘das boots’!! It was good to have stage names too — be creative and slightly ridiculous!

5. How has the title of Fremont Oktoberfest royalty changed you?

Annie The most unexpected part of it was the FOKT commercial — it played a bunch during Monday Night Football this past week and showed a few pictures of us on stage at the Miss Buxom Contest. A lot of our friends think we’re famous now!

6. And now, really what it is all about…how were the prizes? What was your favorite?

Annie & Eileen The best part was FOR SURE the Seahawks tickets! When we went, it was for a suite hosted by SnoCasino — fully catered, absolutely ridic! The dessert cart was literally the icing on the cake for us!! We took pictures because the dessert cart was so ahhh-mazing!!

If you’re ready to take on the competition – come to the TapHouse Grill Buxom Beer Garden tonight (between 5:30 and 6:00pm) in fun and funky German attire to sign-up! The contest begins at 7pm and hosts an amazing lists of prizes including Seahawks and Sounders Tickets, a Sirius Radio, $100 to TapHouse Grill, a night at The Courtyard Marriott Southlake Union and 10 tickets to Fremont Oktoberfest (for Saturday or Sunday).

We’ll see you tonight!

Before stepping out onto the streets I snagged away Bold Hat President (and the creator of Fremont Oktoberfest) for another installment of “Insider Tips!”

1. If you could sneak away from work and sip on one brew what would it be?

Georgetown Chocolate Stout.  Stouts get a bad wrap for being a “meal in a glass” – but they are actually a light drink (and delicious!).

2. What is your favorite band/act/entertainment going on during the weekend?

I am stoked to see a German band back after a void of omm pah pah bands for 10 years.  The festival has become one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations in the Puget Sound and we have been getting a lot of requests for more traditional  German bands and I’m delighted to provide our visitors with the music this year!

3. If you were to hang out in one lounge or beer garden all weekend what would it be?

I would do a Lounge crawl. I like feeling the vibes in all the different locations, and each one has their own personality and vibe. From last years experience I really like the Tap House Buxom Beer Garden. It’s a great hangout during the day and a party during the night!

4. Any tips for people coming into the event? (secret tips, things to bring, entrances to go through, etc.)

Parking can be a pest any weekend in Fremont, so I would park at Fred Meyer and take a stroll along the Burke Gilman to enter through the West gate. The gate usually isn’t as busy as the main entrance and brings you in right near the Simpsons 20^th Anniversary Main Stage. Once inside the festival start with the lighter beers and work your way up to the big IPA.

Overall, meet new people and enjoy the wonderful shops and restaurants here in Fremont.

1. If you could sneak away and sip on one brew what would it be?

Kelly 21st Amendment Brewery’s Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer. I heard they are bringing watermelon to sample with each beer…yum!

Christian The Strangers Big double Trouble IPA. HOLY HOPS!!!

2. What is your favorite act during the weekend?

Kelly It’s a tie  for me! First there is the 106.1 KISS FM’s Brew HA-HA Comedy Show – what’s better than a laugh and a good beer? And second, Michelob’s Ask-A-Brewmaster Sessions. I’d be interested to learn more about beer straight from the expert.

Christian Champagne! Champagne!

3. If you were to hang out in one lounge or beer garden all weekend what would it be?

Kelly The Tap House Grill Buxom Beer Garden, especially into the night with DJ Mack Long! It’s a full on dance party in the middle of the event.

Christian I’m going to have to agree with Kelly on this one…the Buxom Beer Garden! Who doesn’t like big beers and fun music?

4. Any tips for people coming into the event?

Kelly I’d tell people to come in early Saturday afternoon. That way you can try all the beers minus the crowds, and stay through the night for the party in the Buxom Beer Garden after your tasting!

Christian Things to bring: a strong thirst, sunscreen, beer holding hat (especially for the 5K run), and money for a cab. Things to leave at home: your beer goggles! (always gets you in trouble).

1. Sign-up: That’s right, you can’t run a 5K race unless you sign up for one! The hardest part after this is digging out your running shoes and shorts and getting off the couch. Once you sign up there is no turning back – go to www.fremontoktoberfest.com now!

2. Visualize: Although this is a running race, let’s be honest, we’re all in it for the finish line beer garden. Visualize yourself crossing that finish line and dashing into the Beck’s Village Beer Garden for an ice cold microbrew. It’s amazing how motivating beer can be!

3.  Hydrate: Yes, water is good for you, and you should make sure to drink plenty of water before the race, but go ahead treat yourself to a weekend of microbrew hydration fun! We’re open all weekend long (Friday 6pm-12am, Saturday 11am-12am, Sunday 11am-6pm) and the run doesn’t start until 10am on Sunday – allowing you for a late start after a late night tasting.

4. Have Fun!: Although you may be cursing the day you signed up for the race at the starting line, as soon as your foot hits the pavement you’ll be having a blast running with hundreds of people through the City of Fremont. Make it even more memorable with Oktoberfest themed costumes! The more fun the better we say!

5. Finish Strong and Celebrate!!! When you see the finish line and beer garden in the distance kick up your pace and book it to your golden glass of brew! Cross the line and get ready to celebrate with over 70 microbrews to taste in three beer gardens!

You could also always run, stretch, get lots of sleep and eat a good meal, but that just isn’t as fun! We’ll see you at the Brew HA-HA 5K Sunday morning!

The fearless staff of Fremont Oktoberfest includes:

• Laura Barry (the pitch hitter) – Assistant Event Coordinator
• Christian Kollgaard (boy wonder) – Assistant Event Coordinator
• Andrea Kramer (gets our ducks in a row)– Administrative Associate
• Jody Norwood (social butterfly) – Marketing Manager
• Philly Hoshko (turns event dreams into reality) – Event Director
• Kelly Pflugrath (the brains of the operation) – Event Coordinator
• Phil Megenhardt (the heart and soul of Bold Hat) – President

Over the next few day’s I’ll be giving you our staff’s answers to the hard hitting interview question. Today I bring you Andrea, Laura and Philly!

If you could sneak away from work and sip on one brew…what would it be?

Andrea Crispin Cider! They are making a NW Festival debut at Oktoberfest!

Laura Hairy Eyeball! Who wouldn’t want to try a beer with that name…

Philly Well if I am going to get in trouble it might as well be with the Big Double Trouble IPA brewed special for The Stranger by Lazy Boy Brewing.  I always wish for left overs at the end of the event but every year we order more and people just run it dry. Actually, I’m wondering if someone wants to take my job for weekend so I can try all of them, the beer line-up looks amazing.

2. What is your favorite activity (other than drinking) at Fremont Oktoberfest?

Andrea Santa’s Little Helper Dog Look-a-Like-Contest because my pup Kiah is going to win!

Laura Champagne! Champagne!

Philly Miss Buxom Contest for sure! But my favorite is always the Cover Dog Model Contest.

3. If you were to be hanging out in one of the Fremont Oktoberfest lounges or beer garden all weeked where would it be?

Andrea The MOViN Lounge

Laura I would be in a cabana! Most likely the Munich Cabana on Friday night. It has prime viewing of the Miss Buxom contest!

Philly I would chill in the Buxom Beer Garden during the day getting ready for it to turn into a dance party at night.

4. Any insider tips for people coming to the event?

Andrea Buy your tickets ahead of time and skip the lines!!!

Laura Wear closed toe shoes! With all the dancing and great crowds toes tend to be stepped on.

Philly You may think I’m being an old lady – but I would say my best advice is to pace yourself! There are a lot of great beers to try and you want to be able to experience and enjoy them. The tiny little beer mug is actually 5 oz. and some of the beers poured have 7-8% ABV so it can hit you faster than you expect. Download the iPhone App to plan your tasting, take your time, check out all of the activities and remember to eat Ziegler’s famous bratwurst and curly fries or a traditional German pretzel to compliment your tasting (and soak up your alcohol).

Look for great advice from Kelly, Christian, Phil and Myself tomorrow!

The crowned winner of Miss Buxom will receive…

• a nights stay at the Courtyard  by Marriott South Lake Union
• $100 gift certificate to Tap House Grill
• 2 Tickets to the Seahawks Game on 10/18
• 2 Tickets to the Sounders Game on 10/24
• a Sirius Radio (compliment’s of Beck’s)
• 10 tickets to Fremont Oktoberfest for you and your friends (for Saturday and Sunday)

We’re also giving our two runner’s up $50 gift certificates to Tap House Grill.

With prizes like this, who wouldn’t put on funky, fun German attire and answer a few questions!  If you’re interested in entering come to the Tap House Grill Buxom Beer Garden Friday night (September 18th) between 5pm and 6:30pm to sign up. Guys and Girls can enter the contest, so get ready for one crazy, fun and entertaining contest for Miss Buxom.

Bring 10 or more people down to volunteer and receive a $10 per person donation to your non-profit or a charity of your choice, a festival t-shirt and free entrance into the event any day of the Fremont Oktoberfest weekend!

Shifts we need to fill:
Sunday 7:30am – 11:15am We have a lot of runners participating in the Brew HA-HA 5K and Street Scramble.  We need energetic, well-organized volunteers to get everyone checked-in and registered.

Sunday 9:00am – 1:00pm We need volunteers to be positioned along our Brew HA-HA 5K Race route.  You’ll make sure runners are well taken care of and that the course is clearly defined.  You’ll also stay after to help with the Rehab Party and Awards Ceremony.

The only thing we ask is that everyone is over the age of 16 (but you must be over the age of 21 to take advantage of the free admission into the Stranger Microbrew Garden). Please email the first names, last names and email addresses of everyone in your group to laura@boldhatproductions.com and we’ll write your non-profit or charity a check!

So gather your friends and help us help you give back to the community!

Just added is a volunteer shift on Wednesday afternoon to stuff the Brew HA-HA Runner Bags full of goodies, including Honest Tea, granola bars, special promotional offers, etc.

And the best part?  You’ll still receive free admission, along with a mug and 6 tasting tokens, to Fremont Oktoberfest!

Just go to www.shiftboard.com/boldhat (register first, if you haven’t yet), click on the calendar and sign up for the “Marketing” shift on Wednesday from 1:00pm-5:00pm.