It's not the endless flow of beer that Paula Mendes recalled so fondly.
The giant hall in Berlin was packed with people from around the world - neighbours, friends and new acquaintances all seated at long tables. They shared food, stories, songs and of course, beer. On stage, people followed traditional dance steps and demonstrated their yodelling skills.
"There wasn't this sense of going to get drunk. There was this sense of community," she said of her Oktoberfest experience "many moons ago."
And that's what Mendes wants to bring to Squamish - an evening that fosters that community feel. On Saturday (Oct. 19), at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co., Squamish Montessori School plays host to its third annual Oktoberfest. Starting at 7 p.m., the restaurant will be filled with bratwurst and music by Tantalus Pass. A traditional Oktoberfest MC will keep the party rolling with skill-testing activities, such as: How long can you hold a stein of beer straight out in front of you?
"All night long we have a bunch of games," Mendes said. "We don't have a bunch of people sitting on the sidelines."
Last year approximately 200 people enjoyed the evening. Mendes hopes this year's event will draw a similar sized crowd. The festival is open to everybody, she said, adding she wants to see some new faces.
"We are trying to encourage more local people to come," Mendes said.
Money from the party goes toward the school's Parent Advisory Council, who reinvest it in Squamish. The council pays for activities, such as sporting trips to Brennan Park Recreation Centre or a class in which students visit markets to develop their own meal plans.
The evening is to be capped by a silent auction, Mendes said, noting there are some fantastic treats up for grabs. Tickets cost $25, with a complementary pretzel. They can be bought at the brew pub or the Montessori school. People can also visit Squamish Oktoberfest 2013 on Facebook.
