Bust out the brats and beer steins because the Prairie du Chien Oktoberfest returns to St. Feriole Island on Oct. 18.

This year, the Oktoberfest Committee has promised to make 2025 the biggest event in its history, and the itinerary has tons of attractions for adults, children and families.

Bingo at Hoffman Hall from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. kicks off the week's Oktoberfest events on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

The next day, the Eagles Club will host Lederhosen, Games and Musik, featuring the Electric Fire Hydrant Blues Band, Euchre, and Chase the Ace tournaments from 1 to 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, Oct. 17, the Barefoot Becky Band will play at the Tapping of the Oktoberfest Keg Party at the Backwater Bar & Grill starting at 5 p.m.

Oktoberfest kicks off proper on Saturday, Oct. 18, with a disc golf tournament at 7 a.m.

Next, a 10 a.m. parade will go from People’s State Bank to the Oktoberfest grounds on the island. An hour later, the Prairie du Chien High School Band will play the U.S. and German national anthems, and the Boy Scouts will lead the Pledge of Allegiance in the event’s Musik Tent.

At 11 a.m., children’s activities begin, including crafts with the Master Gardeners, kids Hammerschlagen and bouncy houses. The Potosi Rolling Bar will also open, and food will be served for the hungry patrons.

Throughout the day, displays of German culture will be available to view, and visitors can take in a big-screen view of the Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes football games.

Along with food and kids’ fun, the event’s car show and Hammerschlagen begin at 11.

The Guttenberg German Band tunes up at 11:30 a.m. in the Musik Tent, and by noon, a cornhole tournament will start up. Test your mettle against the deft hands of lederhosen legends for beanbag glory.

Also at noon, the Star Power Dance Team will perform.

At 12:45 p.m., Button Box with Fred and Schulplutter/Hotzhacker is scheduled to give a 15-minute performance. The Guttenberg German Band will follow with an encore.

Contests and games start up just before 1, when the kids’ Root Beer Stein Holding Contest pits young’uns against each other in a test of strength and stamina.

At 1 p.m., judges will determine the winner of this year’s costume contest.

A Sauerkraut Eating Contest will start at 2 p.m. This will be the contest’s second year. In 2024, Zach Oyen, of Potosi, proved he had the guts to triumph over a dozen other competitors. Who will claim glory this year?

Adult Beer Stein Holding begins at 3 p.m., with men’s and women’s categories.

Finally, the men’s and women’s Keg Toss Contest will round out the competitive activities for the day at 4 p.m. The ladies, in particular, impressed the crowd with their displays of strength this past year.

Live Wire will play in the music tent from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

And for the first time, the Prairie du Chien Rotary Club will host an after-party starting at 5:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy music entertainment from Live Wire and 2 for the Road as well as a beer pong tournament starting at 6 p.m.

This year’s Oktoberfest is stacked with four days of activities, and there’s no doubt the event will have something to please everyone from the youngest das kind to the altere menschen.

The Oktoberfest Committee is still seeking volunteers to help before, during, and after the event. For anyone interested, contact mulrich627@centurytel.net.