Octoberfest: Free family festival - By Michelle Libby

Octoberfest, the brain child of Sheri Huff, is the culmination of two months of fundraising to donate to food pantries in the 10 towns covered by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce through the Community Coin Challenge.

Last year the communities raised enough money to feed 1,200 families for 60 days, according to Huff, who runs Lee’s Family Trailer, Sales and Service. “We donated a lot of items not covered like Pampers and health and beauty aids, cat and dog food, not strictly food,” she said. 

So far the 10 communities participating, Casco, Gray, Limerick, Limington, Naples, New Gloucester, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham, have raised approximately $13,000, which was about the same as this time last year. 

This year there will be a dance the night before the Octoberfest celebration at Windham Weaponry. Music is provided by Chad Porter and guests and there will be a food and cash bar by Naples Golf and Country Club. Tickets are still available at $25 each at the door or call and leave a message for Laurie at 892-7996 or email lnoel@crossagency.com. 

Saturday is the fun, family day in the parking lot of Buck’s Naked BBQ between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Being the second year of the festival, Huff said that they have worked out some of the logistics from last year. 

Helicopter rides will have a required $25 donation for the first 100 people in line. In addition to that ride, there will also be other favorite activities returning like the horse drawn carriage rides, a bouncy house, face painting, hair painting, pumpkin decorating a beer garden, live music and performances by Dancemakers. There will also be apple bobbing, cupcake eating contest, hotdogs, sausages, Pepsi, water, cotton candy…all free. 

“People should come because it’s free. A free festival to give back to them for giving to the coin challenge,” said Huff. “We are hoping a lot of donations will come in that day.” All of the proceeds raised will be donated. 

Twenty businesses are donating time and talent to the event, many running the different activities. 

The Sebago Lake Rotary Club will host its chili-chowder cook off. Octoberfest is sponsored by Windham Weaponry.  

Huff and her large committee are expecting a large turn out because the weather forecast is positive and word of mouth advertising gets people excited.