Filed under: Activities & Attractions, Family Camping, Family Day Trips

Fabulous Fall Camping Activities–Part 2: Red River Oktoberfest

November 11, 2012 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment

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In honor of fall, I have been profiling a number of fall festivities to entertain you as you camp during one of the most beautiful times of the year. The first was one of two Oktoberfest celebrations in Taos Ski Valley. The second event we attended took place in early October in the small “wild west” town of Red River, NM. It was also a beautiful sunny day, though there was a tiny bit of a chill in the air as we toured the grounds. A much larger event, the Red River Oktoberfest was actually a three day affair. We only attended Saturday but felt we did all the celebrating we cared to in that amount of time.

The second event was also replete with contests of all kinds. There was the Miss Oktoberfest Competition. The lovely ladies were required to don their finest Oktoberfest outfit “or dirndl,” and compete for the title. Competition events included an obstacle course and a “stein holding competition.” While we missed the actual competition as we were out hiking in the morning, we did see the winner in her outfit and wearing her tiara and sash strolling about the grounds during the afternoon.

On Saturday, also, anyone wearing college team jerseys and sweatshirts were entered into a contest to win a ski trip to Red River. Additionally there was a microbrewery competition, in which guests could purchase a tiny beer stein (about the size of a double shot glass) for $5, then sample, at no charge, any and all of the beers being served by the microbreweries set up in booths on the grounds. Each brewery had brought 4-5 different beers and for the lover of fine beers, it was a terrific way to get a small taste of a brew before having to invest in a larger quantity of it. Not much of a beer drinker, I tasted two varieties and was done. Beer just fills me up. Terry, the more adventurous of the two of us, even tasted the Green Chili Beer but said one taste was enough for him!

The “Stein-holding” Competition

Music was provided by The Polka Schnapps Band and dancing was a bit more popular than in the Ski Valley. We managed to fit in two polkas and a waltz that day.

A bit later there was a stein holding competition for men and women who chose to participate. They were required to hold pitchers filled with water out to their sides at shoulder height. The winners of each round competed in the final “hold-off.” That was interesting to watch. A brat eating contest was another order of the day; though perhaps a bit less pleasant for the observer.

Vendors of all kinds were selling their wares at booths scattered around the lovely grounds. With the mountains as a backdrop, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting. And both of these areas have a multitude of campgrounds and RV parks, several of which have been profiled in the Woodall’s blog (see October 31^st post on Columbine Campground, for one example). If you are in the mood for a bit of fall camping, you should find no shortage of entertaining activities to occupy your time.