ATTENDING OKTOBERFEST IN NEARBY DUNDAS last Saturday, I felt a sense of unity, of community, of celebration. It felt good. We were all there just to have fun. Even the kids.
From dancing to painting pumpkins, riding in a barrel train and rolling down a hillside, the youngest among the fest-goers appeared to have as much fun as the adults.
I love that organizers thought of the kids. It takes a lot of man, and woman, power to run an event like this in a town with a population of some 1,800. I’m grateful to the many volunteers who stepped up so the rest of us could come and enjoy ourselves on a lovely Saturday of clouds mixed with sun and occasional showers.
As I roamed the fest grounds, chatted with people, encouraged my husband in the mug holding contest, sang some German songs, watched enthusiastic dancers, drank beer, and shared savory and raspberry handhelds from Martha’s Eats & Treats, plus cheese curds from the Dundas Dukes baseball team, I thought, I’m having such a good time.
It’s fun to photograph events like this, too. To take in the activities, the details. To notice kids rolling in the grass, a boy splashing in a puddle, a toddler hidden by an umbrella, two kids pedaling a two-seat bike down Dundas’ main drag…
The adults are equally as interesting to watch. I loved seeing the happy faces, the conversations, the mixing of fest-goers in this small Cannon River town with the champion baseball team, several bars, a makerspace, Martha’s Eats & Treats, a paint store, Chapel Brewing, a big box store along the highway and more.
Oktoberfest focused on celebrating German culture and heritage in music, dance, song, food, drink, dress. Whether you were German or not really didn’t matter. On this day, this gathering was mostly about having a good time, connecting, and building community among family, friends and strangers.
NOTE: Click here to read my first blog post about Oktoberfest in Dundas.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
this looks so fun and festive, Audrey! and it really shows that all ages enjoyed this gathering. I love the vest and the kids rolling down the hill and the dancing!
It was fun, Beth, and you would have loved Oktoberfest in Dundas.
Looks like everyone had a good time. I wonder how our service men and women would leave Dundas (probably dry)
That second to last photo would do well here in Texas (Guten Tag Ya’ll – ) Glad ya’ll had a good time!
You made me laugh, Gunny. 🙂
You posted some great photos that illustrate the fun!
Thank you, my friend.
An amazing event produced by a small community. Certainly shows the power of working together and having fun, too.
You’re right on both. Small communities seem to put on outstanding celebrations with everyone working together for the community.
Local festivals are the best! Great photos and commentary. Looks marvelous.
Thank you, Lori. I agree that local festivals are the best, especially those in small towns like Dundas.
Local festivals like this are what makes the midwest great, aren’t they? Such fabulous events to attend.
These small towns in Minnesota really know how to throw a celebration.
This looks like as much fun as a Norwegian gathering. That would have been a fun way to introduce my kiddos to the other side of our genetics.
It was, indeed, a fun time. And, yes, introduce your kids to their German heritage.