Oktoberfest Full of Food, Fun, Music and more Food!

Cool, crisp weather was the perfect backdrop for all of the good eats offered up in the Bier Garten at Saline’s Oktoberfest.

So what goes with German beer?

Brats, of course! 

The Saline Lindenberg Friendship Committee kept the grill hot to keep up with demand for brats and dogs throughout both days of the festival.

Dan Kolander, owner of Dan’s Downtown Tavern in Saline, had to keep reloading his inventory of German burgers, kraut and corned beef.  “We are selling a ton or reubens,” he said. 

Kolander is also owner to another restaurant in Clinton, who was hosting its own Fall Festival the same weekend. 

“I’ve had to morph myself into three people,” Kolander laughed. 

He’s a busy guy, but enjoys participating in community events.

“We’ve done five Oktoberfests so far,” he said.

The largest crowd gathered for the Saline Fireman’s Chili Challenge. Culinary Arts students from South and West Washtenaw Consortium program at Saline High School paired up with Saline fireman to brew more than a dozen batches of chili.

Dick Stapnowski has lived in Saline since 1973 and is a connoisseur of chili and other food.

"I cook, my wife cooks, my son is a chef and my grandson is cooking chili today," Stapnowski said. 

He favored entry number two for its unusual seafood taste, and appreciated the 11th entry's pork flavor.

"The pork gave it a different taste from beef. It had a deepness to it," he said.

An excited, all-girl team took the blue ribbon. Screaming and jumping up and down in celebration were Juliana Viggiano, Kaitlyn Roakes, Ali Brennan, Alexis Crayne and Kaley Kermath. 

“I think our enthusiasm really helped,” said Brennan.

“I think it was the spices,” added Viggiano, who was so excited that when her cell phone rang, she answered quickly with an “I can’t talk now I just won!” then hung up on her mom. 

The number one recipe had some sweet ingredients, like brown sugar and chocolate, but also a spicy kick at the end.  The team members each won a gift certificate at Mangiamo's restaurant in Saline, where they will dine together before the homecoming football game next Friday.

The Kiwanis Club of Saline served up specialty pulled pork, and the Lions wagon had its usual and very popular ice cream on hand for dessert. Snackers found vendors with soft hot pretzels, made at Benny's Bakery, of course. Nothing says Fall Festival like food does, and this year’s Saline Oktoberfest 2011 didn’t disappoint.