By Jan Jackson 
Mt. Angel residents are dusting off their lederhosen and starching up their dirndls to celebrate their three-day last blast of winter.
The second annual Wurstfest is Feb. 12 – 14. This year’s festival includes and additional night of fun, an elimination-style Valentine’s dance to find the couple married the longest and gifts for the ladies who attend the festival on Valentine’s Day.
The event started last year as a way to celebrate the end of winter, the beginning of Lent and the gastronomic wonders of German wurst (sausage.) The Wurstfest is co-sponsored by Oktoberfest and Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce.
“We were such a big success last year that we decided to add another night,” Wurstfest spokesman Jerry Lauzon said. “Because the festival is so good for families from little kids right on up, we are providing activities for young people when they change out the bands. Maybe even some dance lessons.”
To celebrate the “fun” of Valentine’s Day, Lauzon said all the women who attend the festival will receive a gift certificate for $10 to be redeemed at either the Glockenspiel, Bavarian Haus or Mt. Angel Sausage Co. restaurants.
Friday, Feb. 12 – 5 to 11 p.m.
5 – 8 p.m. • The Oregon Polka Band
8 – 11 p.m. • Z Musikmakers
Saturday, Feb. 13 – Noon to 11 p.m.
12 – 1:30 p.m. • Alpine Echoes
1:30 – 3 p.m. • Jagermeister Volksmusik
3 – 4:30 p.m. • Alpine Echoes
4:30 – 8 p.m. • Paul Smith’s Still Kickin’
8 – 11 p.m. • Z Musikmakers
Sunday, Feb. 14 – Noon – 6 p.m.
Noon – 2 p.m. • Greg Meier Alpine quartet
2 – 3 p.m. • Jagermeister Volksmusik
3 – Closing • Paul Smith’s Still Kickin’
“We’re having a special Valentine Dance for married couples,” he added. “All of the couples will start out on floor and by the end there will be a prize for the couple who has been married the longest.”
Inside the Biergarten, festival goers will find sausage makers selling their best bratwurst, bockwurst, frickadelwurst, famous Oktoberfest sausage and many other varieties garnished with your choice of sauerkraut, grilled onions and the Benedictine Sister’s award-winning Monastery Mustards.
On tap will be world-famous Spaten Biers from Munich – Premium Helles, Helles Bock, Optimator, Pilsner, Franziskaner Hefeweizen, along with Bud Light. In addition, there will be an array of regional wines, non-alcoholic drinks and potions.
“And for the courageous, Jim Hoke is one-upping his Mt. Angel Sausage Co. Firehouse Brats of last year with the 2010 mighty Four Alarm Firehouse Brat,” Lauzon said. “For every 1 pound of sausage sold, Hoke donates $1 to the Mt. Angel Volunteer Firefighters Association. Since the 2009 Wurstfest to the upcoming one, the firefighters have realized over $2,000 from those sales.”
The cost per adult is $10; persons under 21 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult (adults only after 9 p.m). A free commemorative beer or wine glass will be given with each paid entry, while supplies last. For details, call 503-845-6882 or visit the Wurstfest site at www.oktoberfest.org.
