The crowd raises their cups for a toast at Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The crowd chanted "tiki-taka, tiki-taka, oi, oi, oi!" which began as a Prussian army victory cry, now a sign to take a drink. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    A group of contestants participate in the steinholding contest, raising their mugs with determination against a backdrop of Bavarian flags at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Milan Dvorecky of the Europa Band plays his black Fender Strat guitar, which he has performed with since the group's founding in 1994, closing out the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish with German tunes and American hits like "Sweet Caroline.” (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Contestants compete in the women's Montana State Steinholding Championship at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Desiree Nelson, right, set the winning time of 3 minutes 22 seconds. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Guests party late into the evening, dancing in a tunnel of raised arms amid purple stage lights at Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Hannah Fant and her daughter Eliza Fant share special moments on the dance floor, spinning in circles, laughing and sticking their tongues out at each other at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Adults and children form a dance circle, dressed with flower crowns and playful smiles, at Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Charlotte McClain serves guests at the biergarten, operated by the Whitefish VFW and staffed by volunteers at Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. All tips support local nonprofits. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    A toddler crawls across the dance floor in a traditional alpine hat at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Oktoberfest welcomes all ages, bringing families together to celebrate and learn about German culture and tradition. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Marty Weimer holds a beer stein at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Weimer has attended all 15 years of the Whitefish event, and this year brought his own decorated beer stein, capturing the artistry and tradition of Bavarian culture. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    People gather in front of a scenic Bavarian Alps backdrop at the festival, holding souvenir steins for a memorable family photo at Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Volunteer of the Year Jason Wheeler of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce judges the steinholding contest, testing who can hold a full stein the longest without spilling, at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    A volunteer with the VFW pours a German dark lager provided by Hofbräu München at Great Northwest Okotberfest in Whitefish on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Brooke Bickers/For the Pilot)
  

    Great Northwest Oktoberfest attendees dance to the Bavarian Echoes on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The band has performed in the Flathead Valley since 1978, with some members playing for over 40 years. (Brook Bickers/For the Pilot)