By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

“Grab a bratwurst and join us!” is the invitation to the community extended by Oktoberfest Chairman Scott Trulik for this Saturday’s annual Oktoberfest taking place in the 2300 and 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue.
From noon until 11 p.m. on Oct. 2, this family friendly event will feature games and rides for the kids, beer and wine for the adults and traditional German food for everyone. Meal tickets are $10 and available at Schreiner’s Fine Sausages at 3417 Ocean View Blvd. at the Montrose/Glendale border and at Oktoberfest on Saturday. The two dining areas are at Wickham Way, which opens at 2 p.m., and at Chase Bank at 2314 Honolulu Ave. opens at 4 p.m.
But Oktoberfest offers more than food and drink.
Contests celebrating the German in everyone – including dogs – will be held throughout the day. These include a coloring contest, the best dressed dog contest, Master & Little Miss Oktoberfest, and the popular stein holding and sausage eating contests. Entry forms will be available at the information booth at the PDC lot at 2340 Honolulu Ave. The Montrose Travel parking lot at 2349 Honolulu Ave. will again be home to bingo from 2 until 10 p.m.
According to Ted Ayala, executive director of the chamber, the fun won’t end on Saturday.
“This year, the rides are being held over to Sunday during Harvest Market,” he said. “In fact, the Harvest Market is being moved west a couple of blocks to attract more folks.”
This is the 33rd annual Oktoberfest and is hosted by the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce. Trulik expects a crowd in excess of 30,000 – good news as this is a major fundraiser for the chamber.
“Proceeds will allow us to do all the community events that we do, like participating in the Christmas parade and to donate to other charities that share the values of our Montrose-Verdugo chamber,” said Trulik.
Despite the crowd, he added that organizing this year’s event has gone surprisingly smooth.
“This year the community has really come together,” Trulik said. “It’s made it a lot easier for me.”
But one area does remain challenging. “Volunteers,” said Trulik. “One of the biggest challenges is getting volunteers as this event is all volunteer driven.”
But he’s not too worried. “We should have great weather on Saturday – not too hot and no rain. We’re expecting a bigger turn out this year.”
That turn out is something that he looks forward to.
“This is a great time to run into friends and neighbors that I don’t get to see all the time,” Trulik said. “The community that comes out for Oktoberfest is pretty amazing. I hope everyone brings their friends and family and enjoy a brat.”