A Thomas Kemper root beer garden, savory German-fare, “oompah” music and games with names like “boozeketball” are all part of the Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County’s second annual OkSOBERfest, an evening celebration of responsible, alcohol-free fun.
“OkSOBERfest makes it clear that while it’s the traditional German festival with food, music and more, it’s served with root beer and lots of fun activities so teens and tweens can enjoy this unique event along with adults,” said Karen Lewis, IDIPIC board president.
The purposed of the Friday, Oct. 9, event is three-fold: It’s designed to encourage teens and adults to enjoy alcohol-free fun; remind them of the consequences of underage and irresponsible drinking; and equip them with tools to help prevent drinkers from climbing behind the wheel.
“This is a unique event that we believe no other town in the entire Pacific Northwest holds,” said IDIPIC Director JoAnn Hellman.
Besides the root beer garden, a number of “inebriated-inspired” activities sets the festival apart from its well-known counterpart, where patrons sometimes party themselves into a dangerously drunken stupor. Instead of imbibing on beer, OkSOBERfest guests are encouraged to take a spin with “The Wheel of Misfortune,” beat the clock with “Carpe Keyum,” “Toss Your Cookies,” or play “Boozeketball” using Fatal Vision goggles. Participants can test their dexterity while being “impaired” to get the real-feel effects of alcohol.
Although the German fare and some of the evening’s content is bound to be heavy, there’ll be some lighter activities, too. The fete will feature traditional Oktoberfest mainstays such as live music by The Oompah Band, polka and chicken dancing and a best-dressed contest orchestrated by Jim Freeman.
Local police officers will be on hand to randomly sequester unsuspecting guests for “arrests and tests” that will be conducted with the impaired vision goggles.
Teens 15 years and older can take stroll with the Grim Reaper through the Room of Doom, where graphic photos of local DUI car crashes will be on display as a reminder of the effects of drunk driving, both on the driver and anyone else on the road.
The silent auction will be back again, in addition to a live auction this year. Come out for a chance to bid on various Seattle attractions, a San Juan Excursions cruise for two and a resort vacation time-share valued at $1,000.
Volunteers from the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and IDIPIC worked together to make this year’s event even bigger and better. Island Thrift has committed to match the event’s proceeds up to $5,000.
Don’t miss this entertaining and informative evening, Friday, Oct. 9 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst St. OkSOBERfest tickets are $5 for adults, $1 for ages 10 to 19 and are available for purchase at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, or call IDIPIC at 672-8219. Tickets can also be ordered by mail: IDIPIC, P.O. Box 358, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
