The Barriere Lions Club’s third annual Oktoberfest brought old friends together under one roof.
The atmosphere in the Lions hall was that of a lively family reunion on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 29. There was music, laughter, beer and great food.
Lions member Dennis Farquharson said he was pleased to see everybody out having a good time.
“You know no matter what you do in this town, you come together and everybody has a visit,” he said, “so we’re just facilitating an opportunity there.”
Farquharson, like many of the Lions spent his afternoon at the hall preparing food. Others also pitched in decorating or committed to staying late to clean up.
“Everybody had their hand in,” he said.
John Willcox, a Lion and the man responsible for the mobile food trailer, came to the event adorned in a bright yellow German trenker hat.
“Unfortunately more people don’t dress up, like we’ve got a few, but maybe it’ll grow as we keep doing it.”
He said the response has been positive and that everybody was having a great time.
Most importantly, he said Oktoberfest serves as a great fundraiser for the Lions and the important projects it supports.
“Everything and anything that we do, we do it for the community.”
Edna Fletcher, a Barriere resident since 1999, said a friend encouraged her to come to Oktoberfest.
She’s been on her own since her husband passed away two years ago, and she said her friend thought she could use a night out.
She said the event was great and she was, indeed, having a good time.
“This is neat; I really like it.”
She said she’d never tried German food, but was very much looking forward to seeing and trying it. When asked if she’d be seen out on the dance floor later, Fletcher laughed and said maybe.
