Mt. Angel, Oregon, is a unique destination that has gained fame for being the home of the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the Northwest. The town of 3,200 people is only 40 miles south of Portland, and offers guests a little slice of Bavarian architecture and culture with every trip.
The Mt. Angel Wurstfest is a celebration of town's German heritage, but visitors don't need an ounce of Bavarian ancestry to enjoy the festivities. The event has gained in popularity over the course of its nine-year history and event planners expect over 6,500 attendees this year. It’s a family-friendly festival that stretches over two days and patrons will have the opportunity to sample a variety of sausages made with authentic German recipes along with a spectrum of local and German beers. Entertainment will include games, demonstrations, live music, and dancing. A marketplace full of local vendors will be selling a variety of items inducing art, food, clothing, collectibles, and more. The second day of the event kicks off with a 5K/10K run that winds through the beautiful streets of Mt. Angel. ResortsandLodges.com got the opportunity to interview Kathy Wall, a member of the Mt. Angel Wurstfest Committee, to talk about this sausage themed spectacular.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
KW: This is the ninth year of the Mt. Angel Wurstfest.
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
KW: We expect around 6,500 people in attendance over the course of the two-day celebration.
RAL: What is the typical demographic makeup of the event? Children? Families? Couples?
KW: It's a family-friendly celebration, so we have all ages in attendance.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
KW: Wurstfest always takes place on the Friday and Saturday before Ash Wednesday, so it's similar to Mardi Gras and Carnival. It's the last celebration of winter before the Lenten season.
RAL: Walk me through the activities.
KW: We have live music, local dance troupes, sausage making demonstrations, senior specials on Friday, and the WurstRun, a 5K/10K event on Saturday morning.
RAL: Tell me about the dining options?
KW: Lots and lots of sausages will be available, plus other ethnic foods from our primary food vendors. Local Oregon vendors also supply candies, nuts, bread, and more. We have German and local wines and beers. There are also non-alcoholic beverages and some vegetarian offerings.
RAL: What is the overall environment like?
KW: The Mt. Angel Festhalle is a beautiful building that has the appearance of a Bavarian Village on the inside.
RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up specifically for the event?
KW: We usually team up with Oregon Garden Resorts in Silverton (four miles away) to offer lodging, free entry to the Oregon Garden, and entry to the fest plus breakfast and beer stein. Silverton Inn and Suites and a couple of B&B’s are located near the event, as well as Airbnb rentals. RV travelers can utilize the Silver Spur in Silverton and the Woodburn RV Park (about eight miles away).
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
KW: Yes. It's the 2nd largest festival in Mt. Angel (the first being Oktoberfest, which is in September of each year).
RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community?
KW: Yes. All proceeds go to the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce to support our local community activities and projects. We've donated to the Festhalle, the Glockenspiel, the fountain, First Citizen, the 4th of July celebration, the new Heritage Trail, a scholarship fund, and more.
For more information about Mt. Angel Wurstfest, please visit their website.