LINCOLN, New Hampshire ??” Tis the season for beer, bratwurst and brass bands and Loon Mountain will host its annual Oktoberfest, October 8 and 9, to celebrate the arrival of autumn and the traditions of the world-famous festival. The weekend will feature a live oompah band, traditional German fare and hearty beer. With fall foliage in full splendor, Oktoberfest attendees will also want to include a ride to the summit on Loon’s gondola skyride.

The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 in Munich, Germany, to celebrate the Wedding of Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese. The success of Oktoberfest has turned it into one of the biggest fairs that is celebrated annually in Munich and around the world. Oktoberfest traditionally allows six breweries to serve beer and features traditional fare like sausage, hendl, and sauerkraut.

At Loon Mountain’s Oktoberfest, visitors will be able to enjoy the stein-raising strains of traditional oompah music while savoring German food and hearty beer in the Octagon Base Lodge from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ongoing family events and activities offered both days include free face painting from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; pony rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at $5 a ride; and the “Sausage Slingshot” at 12:30 p.m. The Sausage Slingshot is a contest where kids use a giant slingshot to hurl sausages at a target and everyone wins a prize. Additional activities include Loon’s climbing wall, mountain biking and horseback riding. The ultimate Loon Mountain experience is to board the four-person Gondola Skyride for the half-hour round trip excursion to the summit. The ride to the peak of Loon Mountain affords spectacular panoramic views of the White Mountains while seated in fully-enclosed comfort. At the summit, guests can explore glacial caves, embark on a nature trail, climb the four-story observation tower or even enjoy a delicious Jamaican-style lunch on the deck of the Summit Caf?В©. Gondola tickets are $10.50 for adults and $6.50 for children and provide unlimited rides to the summit on the day of purchase.

The J.E. Henry Tuning Shop at Loon Mountain will also be open during the Oktoberfest weekend, so skiers and snowboarders can get their gear ready for the upcoming winter season. Equipment drop-off will be accepted Saturday and Sunday, and will be ready for pick-up by opening day, scheduled for November 23.

For more information about this year’s Oktoberfest, please call Loon Mountain at 800-229-LOON(5666) or visit www.loonmtn.com.