We performed at Wauktoberfest on Sunday September 14. We did the usual performance: sing the first set, pause for the dachshund races, and then sing the second set. It was a beautiful afternoon to sing and watch dachshunds run, and the Packers eventually managed to win after a dismal first half.
I did take some video of the dachshund race finals: click on the link for 7 Seconds of Glory. Congratulations to Bentley the 2014 champion.
Here are some photos from Wauktoberfest – as always, click on the small image to see the larger photo.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
Wauktoberfest is held on the Endres Manufacturing grounds in Waunakee, where there are goats to provide entertainment for children of all ages.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
The official mascot of Wauktoberfest is a large goat in lederhosen walking on its hind legs. The mascot is better known among the choir as "Greg's Nemesis."
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
Just Too Accordions performed right before we did.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
They're a lot of fun and we enjoyed singing along with some of their songs.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
Werner seems to have made friends with the mascot...
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
...or at least he gets along with it a lot better than Greg does 🙂
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
After our first set, we adjourned to watch the dachshund races. In this heat eventual champion Bentley is in the lead, with our friend Squeaky still loitering at the starting line.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
Funny how dachshund races seem to attract all sorts of riff-raff 🙂
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
Squeaky did not finish, but he was first in our hearts, and certainly would have won a costume contest.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
Just wait until next year Squeaky! Did I ever tell you the story about my first race? It was the 1993 Crazylegs and Governor Thompson was running it too and...oh, you've heard me tell this story already. Never mind.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
After the adrenaline rush of the dachshund races had passed we sang our second set.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
Notice that during the singing of "Ein Prosit" not every singer has a beer in hand. Obviously this is something that we will have to work on. Practice makes perfect.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
After the second set I had a brat with sauerkraut.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
President Bill having a word with Greg. Perhaps something concerning large goats in lederhosen...
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
For the stalwarts who stayed after the second set, there was plenty of beer...
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
...and the chance to sing a few more songs. Anything to take our minds off of the Packers dismal performance in the first half. Thankfully they managed to win the game.
Wauktoberfest 2014-09-14
Wauktoberfest was a lot of fun, especially as it wrapped up on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. As Ralph says, "the beer is free (sort of), the strudel is cheap, and life is good." See you in 2015!