Taste of Munich comes to Auburn: Gold Country Rotary hosts 36th annual Oktoberfest

A bit of Munich came to town last Friday as Auburn Gold Country Rotary hosted its 36th annual Oktoberfest at the Gold Country Fairgrounds. The lively community event featured a full German band accompanied by traditional dancers, a hearty German dinner topped off with Black Forest cake and a festive biergarten. Nearly a full house enjoyed an evening of dancing, merriment and spirited competitions, including stein-holding contests, a costume contest and a silent auction chaired by local Realtor Joanne Barrigan. Ingrid Pierson, also a local Realtor and the current president of Gold Country Rotary, expressed her delight with the evening, especially given that Placer High School's Homecoming was taking place nearby. "I am grateful for all of the sponsors, businesses and individuals who support our largest fundraiser of the year," Pierson said. "The funds we raise go directly to scholarships in the form of Bootstrap Awards, holiday gifts for seniors and families, support for The Gathering Inn, youth programs and so much more." Bootstrap Awards often benefit local high school students who have overcome adversity and may not otherwise receive college scholarships. Event chairman Robert Gale, a telecom construction consultant, was pleased with the turnout and emphasized the collaborative spirit of the attendees and volunteers. "I am very grateful to all those who helped make this a great event," Gale said, "including Gold Country Rotary members, Boy Scout Troop 16, the Sheriff Cadets and the Passport Rotary Club." He noted proceeds from the event support 14 nonprofit organizations in the area. Gold Country Rotary thanked the community and the many sponsors who made the event possible, including Auburn Toyota, Astound Broadband, Auburn Car Tunes, Advance Dentistry, Advantage Marketing, Anderson Sierra Pipe, Barber Kenes Retirement Solutions, Connected by Our Humanity, Crooked Lane Brewing Co., Depoe Bay Coffee, First Northern Bank, George Petersen Insurance Agency, Green Acres Nursery, Harris Industrial Gas, The Home Depot, Holiday Inn/Max's, IFC, JSR Technical Services, Jo Barrigan – Realtor, Lindy Young, Nella Invest, Old Town Pizza, Plumas Bank, R D Gale Inc., Roper's Jewelers, Sean P. Avera DDS, MS, Sierra Air Helicopters, State Farm – Ralph Smith, Sutter Health, TGH Aviation, The Station Public House, Tri Counties Bank, UAIC and Warehouse Paint. Auburn Gold Country Rotary meets every Thursday at noon at Awful Annie's for lunch and engaging, informative programs. Guests are always welcome. ### Glenn Kenes, Program Chair, Auburn Gold Country Rotary 10-6-25