FALLing Into the New Groove 

We ended September on a high note having executed our first two in-person events since early 2020 – a ribbon cutting ceremony for Couch Conversations Psychotherapy and Counseling and a mixer with CV Weekly. Each was a huge success and a hopeful glimpse of all the face-to-face interactions we’ll slowly but surely continue to have again. 

However, despite having these two great events, we were still devastated to have reached the hard decision to postpone our 43rd Annual Montrose Oktoberfest. There are many reasons we had to make that decision that are extensively long and complicated but we will do our best to briefly summarize it here. 

We had two huge factors to consider; the first being our financial state. Between the cancellation of our 2020 Montrose Oktoberfest and the pandemic hardship, the MVCC managed to make it through 2020 with the help of donations, a PPP loan, and a grant from the City of Glendale. That being said, we are not in a position to take on financial responsibilities with huge risks.

Oktoberfest takes months to plan and, when we made the decision to move forward with it, it was right around the time when the June 15 Stay at Home Order had been lifted and the future looked promising. However, as we got closer to the event date, COVID cases were starting to rise again and the mask mandate was reinstated. The future that had once looked promising enough to host our event was starting to feel otherwise.

Secondly, as a food and beverage event, we have many protocols we need to follow with the health department. Because of the grand scale of our event, we fall into the category of a “mega event,” which has different requirements than some of the other local events that have 1,000 attendees compared to our 15,000 expected attendees. One of the protocols we would have to follow as a mega event would be to have a stationary space for anyone who is actively eating or drinking. Anyone familiar with Oktoberfest knows … the essence of it is that you get to stroll through Honolulu Avenue with a brat and drink in hand.

Between this new protocol of essentially making the event a stationary one (taking away from the sit-down restaurants) and the possibility of having to require vaccination proof plus having to put down high deposits with the uncertainty of whether protocols for mega events would change again before the event … it was a big risk we unfortunately were not in a position to take. 

We know the community had been excited for it and we were equally as excited to host our nostalgically joyous event again … and to raise the funds we so desperately need. But ultimately, it could not be done. We thank everyone who has understood and supported our decision.

We do have a small surprise for those who still wish to celebrate Montrose Oktoberfest though; we will be hosting an OktoberFeast Celebration on Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in Montrose. The event will be a $40 ticket all-inclusive feast (German food, drinks and live music by The Mary Dyer Band) with opportunity drawings. The max capacity will be 150 guests. More information to follow soon; stay up-to-date by visiting our website MontroseChamber.org.

We hope to see you there!

Special Thank You:

• -CV Weekly for hosting our first in-person fabulous baseball mixer with live music by Dave Silversparre.
• Joe Allen, Chris Waldheim, Jane Kane and Laurie Jo Phillips for their time and contributions on the Oktoberfest Committee.
• Panos Productions Photography for photographing our most recent ribbon cutting.
• Glendale Area Schools Credit Union and Gary Montenegro from RE/MAX Tri-City Realty for their continuous support through this difficult time.
• YMCA of the Foothills for assisting us in our move.

Meet the newest business members of the MVCC

• Glendale Federal Credit Union – A credit union promising to simplify your financial life, work in your best interest and be your lifetime partner to help you achieve financial success since 1951. 

Chamber Updates/Resources:

• Ribbon cutting ceremony for Silky Skin on Thursday, Oct. 21 at noon. Free admission! Location: 2355 Honolulu Ave., Suite 201, Montrose
• Montrose OktoberFeast Celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. $40 entry ticket includes all food, drinks and live music by The Mary Dyer Band. Tickets will be available for purchase mid October on the MVCC website: org. Opportunity drawing tickets will be available for purchase at the door. 
  For sponsorship opportunities please email mvcc@montrosechamber.org.

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Stay safe, be well and please keep supporting local businesses!