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BAVARIAN BASH
 Musicians keep Alpenfest hopping. (). WALLOWA LAKE Want to travel around the world without the benefit of frequent-flier miles? Then try Alpenfest Friday through Sunday. For the 28th year the south Wallowa Lake community will be transformed into the "Little Switzerland of America" in and around Edelweiss Inn. This traditional home of the bavarian festival is adjacent to Wallowa Lake Tramway, which will be operating all three days of Alpenfest. So what's new this year? A free showcase of local musicians will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Gloria Bainter and the Len Samples family will play strings. Al Bell will play blues harmonica, and Sam Collett will play classical Spanish guitar. The entertainment headliner to play throughout the weekend, is Kerry Christensen and his Alpine All Star Band, including Bill Wells on guitar. Wells specializes in a blend of American and European favorites. Christensen, a world-class yodeler, performed seven years at the Epcot Center at Disney World in Florida. He's been yodeling since age 3 while he was growing up in Idaho. His yodeling style is lively and acrobatic. There will be dance music for all three shows. Admission is $10 for the 7 p.m. to midnight shows Friday and Saturday, and $8 for the 1 to 5 p.m. show Saturday. More vendors than ever are expected around Edelweiss Inn for this year's arts and craft festival. It starts at noon Friday. The festival includes 7:30 a.m. breakfasts Saturday and Sunday. The outdoor breakfasts feature all-you-can-eat blueberry pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice and coffee served until 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The traditional Alpenfest food is available inside Edelweiss Inn during all performances and dinner serenades. Food, beer and wine may also be purchased there, and at other times (without entering the hall) at the rear entrance of Edelweiss Inn, or at the Alpenfest food and beer booth in the craft show area. The menu should tantalize taste buds. Offerings include a German sausage, and mustard prepared exclusively for the Alpenfest, home-style sauerkraut, potato salad and rolls. Next year, and thereafter, Alpenfest will be held the last full weekend in September. |
