OktoBEARfest a Success!

Thanks to all for a fabulous weekend!



OktoBEARfest was held Saturday, October 30, 2010, from 10-4 at Black Bear Lodge. A record crowd of approximately 1,500 people came to OktoBEARfest to join in the fun! There were activities for all ages, including live German music by Jim Pekol and his Orchestra. Brats, all-beef franks, kraut fritters, and German potato salad were available in the Bear’s Den Bar & Grill, along with full bar and German beer selections. Freshly baked German bread in a variety of flavors was also available for purchase. Food and beer proceeds will be donated to the Vilas County Historical Museum in Sayner, home of the first snowmobiles invented by Carl Eliason.

Children’s programs were provided throughout the day and included a pumpkin painting contest, face painting, caramel apple creations, and hula hoop contests. Among the pumpkin painting winners were Tyler, age 31/2 from Yorkville; Brooke, age 9 from Menominee Falls; and Cody, age 11 from Waunakee.

Twenty-eight vendors exhibited their unique art and craft wares in all of the ground-level lodging units at the resort, stretching out over 2,100 feet of lakeshore. Fest-goers could also ride around the resort on a tractor pulled hay ride.

Many craft and door prizes were given away throughout the day with hourly drawings at the Bear’s Den. The grand prize winner of a 2 night stay at the Black Bear Lodge valued at up to $450 was Sandy Wuest of Fond du Lac.

A costume judging contest and meet-the-vendors party with dinner buffet and live entertainment by Mark Wayne finished out the day’s festivities.

Sponsors who helped to make this year’s event such a big success include Camp’s SuperValu Foods, WJFW-TV12 and WRJO 94.50 Oldies Radio.

Mark your calendars for the 12th Annual OktoBEARfest to benefit the Vilas County Museum, scheduled for October 29, 2011. www.blackbearlodge.com/bearfest.htm

Happy Halloween!

One of our young guests getting into the Halloween spirit yesterday after the OktoBEARfest event- in her witch costume but with her dad's award winning mask and hood!

More OktoBEARfest photos coming later today...

One More Day till OktoBEARfest!

The vendors are arriving and very excited about this year's OktoBEARfest. They are busy decorating their unit, as you can see from the photo attached. We have several New vendors with wonderful exciting merchandise to purchase. They make great Christmas gift ideas.

OktoBEARfest is located in all the cabins and lodge homes at Black Bear Lodge, right along side Little St. Germain Lake. The German Beer is chilling and the hay wagon is ready for riding, bring the whole family and we will see you at 10am on Sat. for OktoBEARfest!

The Count Down Continues to OktoBEARfest!

OktoBEARfest is just 4 days away and we are busy getting the Black Bear Lodge and Bear's Den Bar & Grill on Little St. Germain Lake ready for the 11th annual OktoBEARfest. Amy Linnett from WRJO radio will be broadcasting live from 9 am to 12 noon, come by and say Hi to Amy. There will be drawings for prizes every hour on the hour. Grand Prize is a 2 night stay at the Black Bear Lodge. We have some "New" vendors this year, to be sure to check out - Lisa Koening's one of a kind soft cloth doll witches, snowmen, and angels, and Penny Engel's hand painted ceramic's and glass, to name a few. OktoBEARfest is on Sat. 10/30, from 10 to 4 pm.

See you there!

Biggest Oktobearfest ever!

Count down to OktoBEARfest, just 5 days away! This will be the biggest OktoBEARfest ever! Bring the entire family and enjoy a fun fall festival with German music, Brats, kraut fritters, German beer, hay rides, pumpkin painting and of course take care of your Christmas shopping from all the wonderful crafters who will be located in our cabins and lodge homes. Black Bear Lodge is located on Little St. Germain Lake in St. Germain. The Bear's Den will be jumping with the Jim Pekol Band, food and costume contest. A fun day will be had by all, come and join in!

Clean up Special October 15-16

For the first time we are having a Fall Clean-up Weekend Special! Yes, that right, bring the entire family on 10/15-16 to help us prepare for winter and Oktobearfest. Rake leaves, put away outdoor furniture, etc. on Sat. from 9am-1pm. The rest of the weekend is yours to relax and enjoy as you please. Includes 2 nights lodging, exercise and fresh air for just $99 per person!

Not everyone will think this is fun, but if you love the outdoors and don't have leaves of your own, you will love it! Contact us at Black Bear Lodge, soon for best availability.

Attention Crafters - Oktobearfest

Our Oktobearfest is planned for 10/30 (10am-4pm), there is still a limited number of openings. If you have a hand-made craft you would like us to consider in one of the booths, please contact us before 9/25/10. The Black Bear Lodge is transformed into a fall Oktobearfest, for the entire family. There will be hay rides, pumpkin painting contests, arts & crafts, Germain food & music and more!!!

Fall Clean-up Weekend

For the first time, the Black Bear Lodge is offering a Fall Clean-up weekend! Oct. 15-16 This is to help us prepare for winter and Oktobearfest. Rake leaves, put away outdoor furniture, and other chores on Saturday from 9am-1pm. Includes 2 nights lodging, exercise and fresh air for just $99 per person! (that is just $49.50 per night.) Wow what a deal! Some of you might think we have lost our mind, why would you want to come up and work! Well for one thing it is a beautiful time of the year, and a great project with the family and or grand kids. A great way to burn up calories, not to mention frolicking in the leaves and trying to identify all the different kinds of leaves!!!

"OctoBearfest" at Black Bear Lodge

We are looking for vendors to participate in "OctoBearfest" at Black Bear Lodge. If you have a unique hand-made item you would like to sell, please contact us at Black Bear Lodge. The one day event is held on Sat. October 30th. The entire resort transforms into a German Fest. With live music, German food and Craft Fest. Bring the family from 9am-4pm to Black Bear Lodge in St. Germain, WI!

OktoBearFest Costume Contest Winners

Monster bride in the green hat took 3rd place during the costume contest at Oktobearfest.


The 2 month old baby "Cow" took 2nd place during the costume contest at Oktobearfest.


The Cute Witch took 1st place during the costume contest at Oktobearfest.
Black Bear Lodge, St. Germain, WI

Halloween Costume Contest Winners

2nd Place Adult Costume Contest Winner

1st Place Adult Costume Contest Winner

3rd Place Costume Contest Winner

OktoBEARfest Contest Winners Announced!

The winner of or 2 night stay at the Black Bear Lodge from those who filled out the stamp cards is Ann Buscher!

PreSchool Coloring Contest:
1. Austin Kugler age 3
2. Nicholas Bohnen age 3
3. Lily age 3

Pumpkin Painting Contest:
Pre-School age
1. Lily age 3
2. Mallory Schmidt age 3
3. Sean O'Neil age 3

Ages 5-8
1. Nate Halpin age 8
2. Anthony Irvin age 8
3. Savannah Harshman age 7

Ages 9-12
1. Dianah Batell age 10
2. Nick Halpin age 11
3. Abby Angast age 10

Marty Pickens won the Mighty Pumpkin Weight Contest -- he guessed 1,111 and the weight was 1,116.

OktoBearFest raises funds for the Vilas County Historical Museum. Congrats to all!

Thanks for a truly fun day at OktoBEARfest, Black Bear Lodge, St. Germain!

Mighty Pumpkin Contest

Weight is 1116!

Winner is Marty Pickens with guess of 1111! Congratulations!
Diane Misina, 715-891-0048, Email via my Blackberry

Oktobearfest at the Black Bear Lodge

Join us for a Fun Family Festival at OktoBEARfest from 10-4 pm, Black Bear Lodge in St. Germain, Oct. 31.

Hand crafted arts and crafts, hayrides, pumpkin painting, German Food and refreshments, plus Polka music and costume contests. See you there!

Event Sponsors include WJFW- NBC/Ch12 and Camp's SuperValu!

Funds will be raised for the Vilas County Historical Museum!

For more information call Black Bear Lodge 715-479-5778.

OktoBearFest Photos

Weather cleared up in St. Germain by around 10am and fest goers came from all over to enjoy the Jim Pekol Band, food, brews and the wide array of vendors! A big Thank You to our sponsors: Berghoff Brewery, WAOW TV9/WYOW TV34, WRJO Radio 94.5, and Camp's SuperValu. Each sponsor helped to promote the event and encouraged fundraising for the Vilas County Historical Museum. Here's are some highlights!

OktoBearFest at Black Bear Lodge