Kerry and Sue Goulard were the best dressed winners at Oktoblerfest 2023. They are shown with Stefan Tobler of Okanagan Spring Brewery (centre) (submitted photo)

By Pete McIntyre

third annual

Crowds continue to grow for ‘Oktoblerfest’

Oct 4, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Vernon’s version of Oktoberfest continues to draw in the crowds.

The third annual Oktoblerfest was held this past weekend at Vernon’s 1516 Pub and Grill, and organizers say the event was full both nights.

The festival celebrates German heritage, food, dance, culture, and gemütlichkeit (friendliness) in Vernon, the home of Okanagan Spring Brewery and the Tobler family who founded the craft brewery in 1985.

Katie Dahl, owner of 1516 Pub and Grill, said the event was the brain child of her husband, Sherman Dahl, and Stefan Tobler, brewmaster at Okanagan Spring Brewery, who have been friends for more than 25 years.

“Our daughter, Emily Dahl, is also very close with his daughter, Kristina Tobler,” Katie Dahl said. “The depth of this is beyond business and really does bring up many lovely emotions every time I think about it. The Oktoblerfest event has developed for many reasons and it gets more popular every year.”

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Dahl and Tobler told patrons they are committed to many more Oktoblerfest parties in Vernon.

Stefan Tobler was joined at the event by his brothers, Andy and Marcus Tobler, who also work at Okanagan Spring Brewery. The brewery was co-founded by their parents, Jakob and Emma Tobler, in 1985.

Another highlight was the unveiling of “Duke Tobler,” a painting commissioned by the Dahl family and completed the day of the event by local artist Barbara Fresz. It can be viewed at the 1516 Pub and Grill.

Duke Tobler painting with Sherman Dahl and artist Barbara Fresz (submitted photo)

Kerry and Sue Goulard were the winners of the Best Dressed for 2023.