Mike and Bethany Bakalars reign over La Crosse Oktoberfest as Festmaster and Frau

The secret is finally revealed — the new Festmaster and Frau for La Crosse Oktoberfest have been introduced, as fest gets ready to kick off Thursday.

Bakalars Sausage owner Mike Bakalars and his wife Bethany are leading the fest family. Their selection was made public Wednesday night at the Festmaster’s Ball.

Mike told WIZM he learned of the honor back in March, during a meeting with past Festmasters Brian Rude and Doug Kratt. He was told the meeting would be about a possible new local festival.

“They surprised me out of the blue, and asked if I want to be Festmaster,” Mike said. “After I got up off the floor, and they convinced me it wasn’t an early April Fools joke, I said, ‘Of course.'”

Mike has owned his family’s sausage company in La Crosse for over 20 years. Although he hasn’t always lived in La Crosse, he’s enjoyed Oktoberfest from an early age.

“I actually grew up in the Twin Cities,” Mike said, “and some of those earliest memories are coming down here and visiting La Crosse, often times during Oktoberfest, and sharing those experiences with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends.”

Frau Bethany has advice on some of the best ways to celebrate the fest.

“You have to come down to the festgrounds,” she said, “and enjoy the food, and the beverages, and the camaraderie. It is so amazing, and the bands are terrific. Just being with all the people around, it’s such a great atmosphere. You have to enjoy it in person.”

The Bakalars have three children, in high school and college. Mike joked about the family business with other fest royalty, claiming his family would call themselves “the wurst royal family.”

Mike and Bethany do community work with the Gateway Area Boy Scouts and the La Crosse Mardi Gras.

Oktoberfest activities begin with the Senior Breakfast on the festgrounds from 7-9 a.m. with more activities all over town throughout the day. The opening is highlighted with Torchlight Parade through north La Crosse.