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by Kevin Codyby Kevin Cody
Hermosa Beach Mayor Raymond Jackson yodeled as he took the stage Saturday morning in downtown Hermosa Beach to announce the opening of the Locale 90254 Oktoberfest.
Then he raised his beer stein and asked, “Any young guns out there ready to take on the old man in the stein hoisting contest?”
The stein hoisting contest was held Saturday afternoon, though Mayor Jackson was disqualified from participating after it was discovered his stein had a false bottom that reduced its volume.
Bob Diaz, of Torrance won the steine hoisting contest with a time of 3 minutes 14 seconds, despite claiming he didn’t train. John Vega, of Manhattan Beach, a former Alpine Village champion, finished second. He said he trains by surfing at the Manhattan Beach pier.
Kerri Krusinski, of Hermosa Beach, won the women’s stein hoisting contest. She is a former, second place Alpine Village finisher.
The wiener dog race that followed was won by a ringer named Stevie from Manhattan Beach. Stevie is a two time winner of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, held each year at Los Alamitos Race Track, according to owner Shannon Sackley.
Throughout Saturday, block long line lines formed to purchase plastic steins ($20), and beer tickets ($8). Local craft beers were served at tents on Hermosa Avenue, which were filled to their 300 person capacity until closing at 6 p.m.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Dodger owner Walter O’Malley is reported to have said when fans complained Dodger Stadium didn’t have enough parking.
Hermosa Beach Chamber President Jessica Accamando echoed O’Mally’s observation after Locale 90254 Oktoberfest ran out of beer and steins Saturday evening.
“It was a fantastic success. We had way more people than we thought we’d have,” Accamando said on Monday.
The Octoberfest was produced by the Hermosa Chamber, in place of the annual Labor Day Weekend Fiesta, which the chamber discontinued this year after over four decades.
Approximately 2,500 admission bracelets and beer steins were sold on Saturday, and 1,500 on Sunday, Accamando said.
Saturday’s unexpectedly large ticket lines were eliminated on Sunday by making separate lines for prepaid customers, and adding staff, she said.
Participation in the contests, which included stein chugging, yoddeling, pretzel eating, and costumes, was free.
Because drinking in public is illegal, the yellow liquid in the stein hoisting contest was water, and the chugging contest steins were filled with Partake, a non alcohol brew.
Social media response to the event was overwhelmingly positive, with the exception of complaints about the $20 bratwursts, and $25 french fries charged by a vendor.
Food booths were limited by design, Accamando said, to encourage visitors to eat at local restaurants.
Greg Newman, CEO of Sharkeez and Palmilla, said his business was strong on Saturday and Sunday, dispelling concerns that the Oktoberfest would hurt local bars and restaurants.
“I think it was a good addition to the community. I’d like to see it happen again,” Newman said.
On Saturday and Sunday Hermosa Police issued one citation for public intoxication, and took three heavily intoxicated people to the hospital. No DUI arrests were made on Saturday or Sunday, according to Hermosa Beach Police Public Information Sgt. Mick Gaglia.
“We’re happy with the weekend results, and look forward to a safe event against next year,” Sgt. Gaglia said.
“I think we have a new tradition,” Mayor Jackson said during his welcoming comments.
The chamber emailed surveys to residents and business owners this week asking if they would prefer to have Oktoberfest return next year, or if they would prefer to have the Labor Day Weekend Fiesta return next year. Accamado said the chamber will not be able to produce both. ER
