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MILLHEIM -- This Saturday, the Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks in Millheim bring a little Deutschland to the Central Pennsylvania area, with their annual community fundraiser, Oktoberfest.
The event takes place from noon -- 6 p.m. with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit the Millheim Fire Company.
There is no fee to get in, however visitors wishing to try out any of the beers must purchase a commemorative beer stein of their choice, and carry a valid ID. The beer steins are $15 and come with one pint of beer.
The Elk Creek Cafe, located on West Main Street in Millheim has been a staple in the borough since 2007, and has an immense following from both near and far.
The venue is known for their homemade, fresh and fun menu, often from locally sourced ingredients, and especially for their hand crafted beers, made in the back room of the cafe.
Therefore Elk Creek's version of Oktoberfest, much like their daily offerings that is also eclectic, yet traditional, promises visitors authentic German foods and fabulous Elk Creek Fest Bier, crafted by Beermaster, Tim Yarrington.
Yarrington is regarded as one of the best in the beer industry, and is the Brewing and Fermentation Science instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, as well as a consultant specializing in brewery start-up planning and execution.
On the day of Oktoberfest, at noon when the event opens, Yarrington will unveil his special Oktoberfest beer, made exclusively for the festival.
For those who do not drink beer, Pisano Winery has donated several wines for guests to purchase.
Oktoberfest in Millheim strives to adapt traditional European cultures and wishes the community to experience an authentic German festival without having to travel far to do so.
Therefore, there will be plenty of polkas and German music with entertainment by the Bavarian Stompers and the Little German Band, both of State College.
Special, long tables imported from Germany, will be set up under the large white tent and enable participants to follow Bavarian customs and "schunkeln," which means everyone will link their arms together and sing and sway to the music.
Organizers suggest coming to the event hungry. Ham and cheese pretzel sandwiches, homemade German potato salad, veal schnitzel sandwiches, cold potato soup, sauerkraut and pickled pepper salad, locally made bratwurst and sauerkraut donated by Triple Creek Lodge, and soft pretzels from Mammies Donuts, are all on the menu. For those who are still hungry, a very German dessert of warm apple cinnamon bread pudding.
Penn College Chef Mike Ditchfield, and some of his students, along with local residents, will be on hand volunteering their time, helping to prepare the food.
In addition to the Penn College volunteers, the staff of the Elk Creek Cafe and Brewery, local farmers and businesses, as well as other community members, all come together to donate their time and skills to the event, enabling all of the monies to be given directly to the Millheim Fire Company.
Millheim Fire Chief Delmer Homan, is very grateful of the efforts his community is making.
"We really appreciate the wonderful support from the Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks," he said. "We always have a really good turnout and each year get a lot of compliments about the German food and beer. We're really looking forward to the event and hope we have another big crowd. We want to thank everyone involved with a special thanks to the students and instructor from Penn College for coming all the way to Penns Valley from Williamsport. They do an excellent job preparing the food."
Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, and is located behind the Millheim Fire Company off of North Street in Millheim.
For more information, please call the Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks at 814-349-8850, or visit their website at https://elkcreekcafe.com/.