BELLA VISTA — Do the polka and chow down on some brats Saturday, Oct. 8, at an Oktoberfest celebration sponsored by the Friends of the Bella Vista Library.

The event is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. at Riordan Hall.

Library Director Joni Stine recommends purchasing tickets early.

“We even had people trying to buy tickets at the very last minute (last year), so plan ahead,” she said.

The Friends are hoping to see between 250 and 300 people celebrating German style.

In advance, tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger. They can be bought at the Bella Vista Library or Riordan Hall.

The menu this year continues the German theme with Johnsonville bratwurst, hot dogs, German potato salad, beans and German chocolate cupcakes for dessert.

Oktoberfest is a family event this year. Root beerwill be available instead of regular beer, said Janel Stryker, president of the Friends of the Library Board.

Stryker said board member Lynn Gould will teach polka steps to the tunes of the Hungry Five, a local polka band. The Bella Vista Women’s Chorus and the Hoot ’n Holler Cloggers are scheduled to perform.

The library’s Teen Advisory Board is assisting with making posters and staffing a book-sale table, Stine said. A hardback book sale during Oktoberfest will feature special pricing.

The teens worked at a card party fundraiser and made posters earlier in the year, Stryker said. They did such a good job, they were requested to help again.

“I’m so proud of them, and they want to help the library as much as they can,” the librarian said.

Oktoberfest is a fundraiser for the library, and a successful one, Stine said. Friends of the Library are significant contributors to the independent library’s budget.

Area, Pages 25 on 09/28/2011