Two women leading Oktoberfest parades this year: a Franciscan nun and a north-side schoolteacher

The Oktoberfest royal family welcomed two more members for the 2024 celebration, during a Wednesday celebration at Loggers Field.

Franciscan Sister Mary Ann Gschwind and veteran schoolteacher Debbie Keller were introduced as this year’s marshals for the two fest parades.

It’s the first time in 11 years that both parades will have female grand marshals.

The next royal family member to be announced will be Mrs. Oktoberfest on Saturday night at UW-La Crosse. The Festmaster’s Ball will take place the following Wednesday.

Gschwind will ride at the front of the Maple Leaf Parade on Sept. 28, after many years as a local parade spectator.

“I’ve been to most of the parades, mainly the big parade on Saturday more than the Torchlight, but I’ve been to that one often, too.” Gschwind said.

She has also attended the Festmaster’s Ball and the Mrs. Oktoberfest banquet and the Ladies’ Day Luncheon as a fest supporter.

Keller has been a long-time teacher at various north side schools in La Crosse.

She’ll lead the Torchlight event next week Thursday night.

“I’ve always loved Oktoberfest,”she said. “Just never thought I’d be leading a parade. I’ve just always went to the parades.”

Keller’s north side roots run deep. She said she grew up in that section of La Crosse, “and then I became a teacher, and I started raising my family here, and then I taught on the north side,” teaching at Jefferson, Franklin, and Northside Elementary.

At Wednesday’s event, Keller led the audience in singing “E-I-E-I-E-I-O.”