This weather has been nuts! First I’m baking and begging for the air conditioning to be kept on, then Monday night I turned on the heat. Thankfully, there was very little weather-related schizophrenia on Saturday during the annual Oktoberfest in Montrose.
I’m active in an organization at Crescenta Valley High School called Prom Plus. Prom Plus was originally populated primarily by parents of high school students and other adults, but now has an active on campus presence. Last year Prom Plus helped out at Oktoberfest by manning a snack booth from 5 to 11 p.m. We were asked if we wanted to do so again this year and we eagerly said yes.

Unfortunately, most of our “regular” group wasn’t able to make it, but we were fortunate in that there were some other students who needed some community service hours and helped us out for a couple of hours. I had the chance to walk up and down Honolulu for a little bit visiting friends and eating some bratwurst.
I got to Oktoberfest around 5 p.m. and things were not really in fully swing yet. The streets didn’t seem that full and I was a little concerned that the expected crowds wouldn’t materialize. However, fears were put to rest by 7 p.m. As darkness began to fall, the street began to fill. It truly was a festive occasion.
Honolulu Avenue was host to the young and old, the drunk and sober (though not too many appeared to be have over-indulged), two legged and four legged celebrants. At our booth, we were churning out churros and pretzels as fast as we could and still didn’t meet the demand. And let’s not even talk about Montrose Bakery’s strudel! We sold trays of the heavenly apple creation. All hope I had of taking some home for morning breakfast was dashed early in the evening.
It got a little sticky for us later in the evening. Most of our help had to keep other engagements and by 8:30 it was only my husband Steve, his sister Sue and I. That’s it. In addition to being short handed, one of our two ovens didn’t work and it took twice as long to have hot pretzels and churros ready. Thankfully, our customers were pretty patient and didn’t get too annoyed because they had to wait for their goodies. And after all, we did try and entertain by singing Danke schoen.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Oktoberfest isn’t the only celebration taking place this week. Crescenta Valley High School is having its 50th anniversary tonight, Thursday, and Friday and is inviting its alum to a heck of a party.
Beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday night the school is opening its doors for tours of the facility, networking opportunities on campus where guests can reconnect with old friends and enjoy a pasta dinner for just $7 a plate. The evening will culminate with a bonfire on the softball field.
I hope a good crowd shows up. It promises to be a good time to reunite with fellow CVHS alumni.

  Crescenta, Goldsworthy