Put the beer steins in the freezer and practice your drinking songs. Oktoberfest is coming to Carson City.
The Carson City Library Foundation's sixth annual Oktoberfest fund raiser comes with a new twist this year. It's now a two-day affair.
In addition to the traditional Saturday afternoon of family fun, the library planning committee has let down its hair and added a Friday night of "Brats, Brews and Blues."
At the Pony Express Pavilion, beer-, meat- and music-lovers can savor hot, grilled bratwurst and wash it down with late-harvest Oktoberfest brews while taking in live blues in the crisp autumn air.
"We wanted to do something in the evening this year," Carson City Library Community Relations Coordinator Andrea Moore said. "It'll be a great kickoff for the event."
Live blues will be provided by the popular Nevada band Deja Blues, fronted by the vocals of Wanda Cobb.
Saturday's event will focus on family fun with music by the Rhone River Stompers, food, games, a giant book sale and quality craft fair.
Tom Baker with be Saturday's master of ceremonies.
"This is the library foundation's biggest fund raiser," Moore said. "We're hoping with the added night that we'll break last year's numbers."
She said 3,500 people attended last year's Oktoberfest celebration, raising $12,000.
Over the last five years, the event has raised more than $25,000 for the library.
A drawing for a getaway for two to the Las Vegas Stardust Resort and Casino is this year's grand prize.
Other prizes include dinners for two at Thunder Canyon, a spa day pass for two at David Walley's Resort in Genoa, two six-month passes to Nevada Fitness, show tickets for two to the Eldorado Hotel Casino, a gift basket from Greenhouse Garden Center, gift certificates to Bully's Sports Bar and Grill and buffet or brunch passes to the Carson City Nugget and Sizzler Restaurant.
If You Go
What: Carson City Library
Foundation's Oktoberfest
Where: Pony Express Pavilion in Mills Park
When: 6-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
Contact: 887-2244
Contact reporter Robyn Moormeister at rmoormeister@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.