25th Annual Oktoberfest Beer & Wine Tasting Celebration - Oct. 1 At Air Force Museum

Sept. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- CAMARILLO, CALIF.--It's time for brews, brats and props as the Thousand Oaks Rotary Sunrise Club celebrates its 25th Annual Oktoberfest Beer & Wine Tasting Celebration, Saturday, October 1, at the Commemorative Air Force Museum at the Camarillo Airport (455 Aviation Drive) in Camarillo.

   A new focus this year is on beer and wine tasting--featuring over 20 German brews, 20 German wine varietals and samples from California micro breweries including Surf Brewing Co., (Ventura), Enegren Brewing Co., (Moorpark), Fireman's Brew (Woodland Hills) and Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma). Festival goers over 21 will receive a souvenir-tasting mug for sampling. Also available will be beer cocktails and beer ice cream floats. For do-it-yourselfers, home brew kits and demonstrations are also part of the fun.

   Keeping with its Oktoberfest roots, the festival will feature German dancers and live entertainment and traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest contests. Festival goers can tour the Commemorative Air Force Museum and its historic World War II airplanes and enjoy viewing vintage aircraft flyovers throughout the day. Bavarian foods including bratwurst, sauerkraut, strudel, Pillar Giant Pretzels (flown in from Germany) will be available for purchase. Classic rock and blues band, "The Lovejoys" will also take the stage.

   "There will be something for everyone, but most of all, probably the greatest concentration of German beers and wines in one place in Southern California," says Mary-Catherine McBride, Oktoberfest chair. "We're keeping the event to one day so all these breweries and wineries could participate. It will really be something special."

   German beers such as Spaten, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrauhaus and Weihenstephan will be offering several blends including Fest Beer, marzen, dunkel, palebock, dottelbock and dunkel weizen.

   Since its inception, the Thousand Oaks Rotary Sunrise Club's Oktoberfest has raised more than $450,000 for local charities.

   Hours are 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those purchasing entry tickets on or before September 16 get in at noon for pre-event tasting and live music. The cost is $40/adults and includes all beer and wine tastings, $10/ages 12 through 20 and free/under age 12. Adults not participating in beer tasting and are "designated drivers" get in for $10. Ride in historic airplanes for an additional fee. Parking is free.

   The Thousand Oaks Rotary Sunrise Club promotes drinking responsibly. It has arranged for Roadrunner Shuttle Service (805-389-8196, www.rrshuttle.com) to be on call during Oktoberfest so that attendees have the option to use the service if needed.

   Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.okto-beerfest.com and are expected to sell out. For more information, call 805-701-7248.

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Thousand Oaks Rotary Sunrise Club Oktoberfest includes beer and wine tastings from Germany as well as beers from local breweries. German music, dancers and Bavarian contests as well as R&B and jazz bands. A full food court with Bavarian and other fare is featured.