Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 7, Issue 9, September 2003

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Fremont Oktoberfest Sept. 19

By JAMES BUSH

Run now, have a beer later at this year's Fremont Oktoberfest.

This fall festival, now in its seventh year, starts Friday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m., with the last beer poured on Sunday afternoon at 6 p.m (the festival will continue until midnight Friday and Saturday nights). A new addition to the Oktoberfest lineup is Saturday morning's first annual Brew Ha-Ha 5K run and walk, which starts at 9:30 a.m.

The race will feature a Beer Belly division, featuring runners who enjoy beer more than exercise (to qualify, men must weigh 200 pounds; women 160 pounds). The Beer Belly runners will lead off the race, in hopes that this head start will get them to the beer garden in time for the 10 a.m. opening. Cost for the race is $20 if you register by Sept. 20; $25 after.

The festivities will be held at the Solstice Plaza on the southeast corner of North 34th Street and Fremont Avenue North, and in the Adobe parking lot under the north footings of the Aurora Bridge. The 5K race starts at the nearby "Waiting for the Interurban" statue.

The Stranger Beer Garden will feature 25 different microbrews on tap; the $20 admission ($18 advance purchase) will include five beer tokens and a souvenir cup. A second, free admission, beer garden will be presented on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., sponsored by and featuring Paulaner Beer.

Also featured will be a kids' area with zucchini car races, face painting, fun activities and the popular root beer garden. A live entertainment stage will present musical acts including the Dudley Manlove Quartet and Celtic rock band The Clumsy Lovers. The street fair will offer the wares of more than 90 craft and import vendors, plus the always-eventful Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving Contest (Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.).

Admission to the Fremont Oktoberfest is free; admission to the beer gardens is limited to persons 21 years old with valid identification. Designated drivers receive free soft drinks; safe rides home will be provided to those in need.

For more information, call 633-0422 or surf the Internet to www.fremontoktoberfest.com.