It almost sounded like a construction zone for a few moments in the Howe Sound Brew Inn and Brewing Co.'s Garibaldi Room on Saturday (Oct. 22).
However, the bangs and clangs from hammers hitting nails wasn't a poorly timed renovation at the pub. It was Wettnagel, or competitive nail hammering.
Crowds gathered around a single block of wood and cheered as competitors tried to hammer the nails as quickly as possible, a task that's not so easy after you're downed a few beers.
Wettnagel was one of several games on at the first-ever Oktoberfest, a fundraising event to support the Squamish Montessori School. According to event organizer Gwen Young, the evening was a smash success.
"It turned out to be just a fantastic night," she said, noting that the event raised $6,000 for the school. "We were really taken aback with the response we got and we want to continue making this event our annual fundraiser."
In addition to Wettnagel, there was Masskrugstemmen, in which competitors had to hold a full pint of beer at arm's length without lowering the glass. Participants soon found out it is a lot harder than it looks. The event also featured the Brat Bob and Roll, which saw competitors bob a bratwurst from a bucket of water and roll it down a table, no hands allowed. There was also a best-dressed competition for men and women, along with a fundraising silent auction.
But by the end of the night, it was all about the yodelling. Organizers brought in professional Rolf Brulhart to judge and offer tips to the newbie yodellers. Brulhart said he was surprised by the skill and enthusiasm he saw from Squamish residents.
"I was very impressed because normally people are very shy," he said. "But it was a very fun group and I think they enjoyed themselves."
Brulhart was born in Switzerland and said working on the mountains encouraged him to get interested in yodelling.
"I was a mountaineer when I was younger and a fellow I worked with was a yodeller and he made such outstanding echoes," he said. "I learnt from him and it's something I enjoy doing."
Brulhart said many people think they can't yodel but that it is mostly about the changing in pitches from deep in the chest to falsetto or higher tones.
"It's all in the switch from high to low back to high," he said. "With practice almost anyone can do it."
The school's principal, Lindsay Grove, who was sporting classic German attire of shorts, suspenders and a hat, said he was grateful that Brulhart could be the host of the event.
"I'm so glad Rolf came up and he's done such a great job," he said. "I think next year this fundraiser is going to be bigger and better. It's been a great night and want to make it even more fun next year."
For more information on the school, visit www.smsed.ca.
