‘Zoiglfest’ celebrates Oktoberfest tradition

Learn about this new outer East Portland seasonal festivity, held in Lents Town Center, and supported by a new Business District …

There’s lots of seasonal fun to be had at this year’s expanded Zoiglfest in the Lents neighborhood.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Having put on a small “pilot” event last year, the Zoiglhaus Brewing Company, in Lents Town Center on SE 92nd Avenue, held a weekend-long Oktoberfest celebration they called, “Zoiglfest” – on the weekend of September 13-15.

On Saturday, September 14, the Zoiglfest spilled into SE Ramona Street with a street fair (with the permission of PBOT), in association with the newly-reorganized Lents Grown Business Association.

With pretzels aplenty (and great German-style beer inside) is Zoiglhaus Brewery Director of Operations Mo Wark.

“This year, our Zoiglfest started last night with a ceremonial keg-tapping,” said Zoiglhaus’ Director of Operations Mo Wark.

Saturday’s activities included a sausage-eating contest, a lederhosen fashion show, and music by the “Smiling Scandinavians” and other musical acts, Wark remarked.

“And, thanks to help from the Lents Grown Business Association, we have a craft market outdoors, and some large-sized games to play for kids and families – and of course, lots of pretzels, beer and sausages,” Wark told East Portland News.

Inside, kids enjoy an enthralling Olde World Puppet Theatre presentation of “The Enchanted Ring”, performed by master puppeteers Steven Overton and Erin Chmela.

“We do this because we want to bring the community together, here in the Lents neighborhood, and at the same time, bring more positive attention to Lents and all the good things we have here,” Wark explained. “We felt this is a good opportunity to bring both our neighbors, and people from the greater Portland area together for a fun family event.”

Exhibiting at the street fair are Studio Sign Company owner Melvin Lee and his son and partner, Nick Lee, who is also President of the Lents Grown Business Association.

The incoming President of the business association, Nick Lee of Studio Sign Company, said the organization’s Board was pleased that ten “very local” businesses arrived to be in the street fair along Ramona Street.

“Our business association is quite new; we just transitioned into new leadership this year,” Lee said. “Although we’re still forming, we’re growing, and we have added as members Bella’s Italian Bakery, the new popular bakery and coffee shop here in Lents Town Center, as well as Atlas Dental, next door to Bella’s.”

Keeping the afternoon lively at the street fair is the music of Ragon Linde.

“We’re working to get more Lents-area business people involved, so we can increase business here for all of us,” Lee explained. “And then, we’ll be able to put on community events like this one, to help increase the livability of our neighborhood.”

>>Find out more about the Lents Grown Business Association at their official website: CLICK HERE.

© 2019 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™

 

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