Celebrating Oktoberfest in and Around Portland, Oregon

Whether you love a good beer, or just a good sausage... Oktoberfest is the celebration to eat, drink and be merry. With 2010 marking the 200th anniversary of the celebration it is time for the residents of Portland, Oregon to get out and celebrate a little German history, food, and fun. So, eat (at Gustav's, The Rheinlander, or even Wienerschnitzel), drink (at the Berlin Inn & Bakery or the Widmer Gastaus), and be merry (at Oaks Amusement Park or Mount Angel), and have a safe and Happy Oktoberfest!

Eat

Gustav's is a great place for some rocking fondue. Dunk those German sausages and crusty breads into a little pot of cheesy heaven, and toast a good meal with many of the ales on the menu. This is a mid-priced restaurant with several locations to choose from. Get all the information on their website at www.gustavs.net/

The Rheinlander is a little more expensive, but worth the visit for a special Oktoberfest treat. Located on Sandy, parking can be a bit difficult, but the restaurant is charming and the food is delicious. Check them out on the web at www.rheinlander.com/

If the economy has got you down, save a little dough, and plan your own Oktoberfest picnic. Drive through Weinerstizel and head out to the backyard. I am getting hungry just thinking about it. Find locations and menu items at www.wienerschnitzel.com.

Drink (responsibly)

With a name like Berlin Inn Restaurant & Bakery, you can't get much more German than that. Get the vibe and details at their website(www.berlininn.com). This is a great place to try a variety of German wines.

Widmer is a year round Portland favorite, but visit the Widmer Gaustaus to add a little German flavor to your Portland Brewery experience. Check them out at http://www.widmer.com/gasthaus.aspx

Be Merry

Oaks Park hosts a great Oktoberfest celebration. The best thing is it is an all out carnival featuring beer, food, music and dancing within the city limits. All the details are available on the Oaks Amusement Park website (www.oakspark.com).

The Mount Angel Oktoberfest definitely takes the bratwurst in Oktoberfest festivals. Mount Angel was originally a German settlement, so you get that authentic Bavarian feel. It is about forty miles out of Portland, but definitely worth the drive. It has fun and food for the whole family. Check out the website (www.oktoberfest.org) to plan your day in advance and to make sure all ages get in on the action.