Lethbridge rolls out the barrel for Oktoberfest

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on September 13, 2022.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Revellers raise a toast with their German beers on Saturday night during the annual Oktoberfest YQL at Festival Square.

Tons of beer was poured and bratwursts and schnitzels were grilled for Oktoberfest YQL goers to enjoy on Friday and Saturday night at Festival Square.

“Well first and foremost, our venue is absolutely unreal,” said Roy Pogorzelski, co-organizer.

“The newly renovated Festival Square in of itself is something we’re seeing, especially with the lights and the ambience in the evening. But further to that we’ve got German beers, we’ve got German food available for folks, we’ve got amazing music from Alpen Schatz that come from Medicine Hat and they play some of the greatest ‘good ol’ ooom pa’ music. So they get people up and dancing.”

Pogorzelski said it’s celebrating in community.

“Like we have the joint-long tables because we want people to celebrate in community and celebrate in the spirit and create a safe and secure atmosphere where people can come and just have fun in our downtown,” he said.

Oktoberfest YQL is in its eighth year and Roy and his brother John created the Pogo Bros Entertainment. They have a German background from their father’s side and have always had a love for the festival.

Jerry Firth is also a partner.

“In 2009, I went to the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and when I came back down here, me and my brother were living here and we said you know a festival of this nature would be really fun for this community,” he said.

“We didn’t know at that time if it was going to be popular or successful. So when people came out and they really supported the event and supporting local businesses and all those things that came together. Well then year after year you see the returning faces (and) you see new people and it’s just that celebration of a multicultural festival that is over 200 years old from Munich, Germany that is becoming more of a staple and more of a way to celebrate. Sing, dance, polka, have a bit of fun.”