There’s a fall festival in Oregon that you may not know about – yet. Oregon’s Alpenfest is the only Swiss-Bavarian cultural festival in the western United States, and it’s wonderful. This festival takes place at the end of September or in early October each year; this year, in 2022, it runs from Thursday, September 29th to Sunday, October 2nd. It’s held at the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo grounds in Joseph, Oregon. If you love good music, good food, good beer, and beautiful scenery, then you’re going to love Oregon’s Alpenfest. Read on to learn more.
Joseph, Oregon, is in Wallowa County in the northwest corner of the state. It’s a very small town of just over 1,000 people, and it sits on the edge of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
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The mountain views here are spectacular, and it’s no wonder that Joseph has gained the nickname of the Little Switzerland of Oregon.
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This fact makes it a perfect place for Oregon’s Alpenfest each year. This festival has been celebrated since 1975, and it gets better every year.
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At the festival, you’ll enjoy lots of polka music, which is great for dancing.
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You’ll experience other music too, and lots of costumed Swiss-Bavarian enthusiasts.
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There’s almost constant dancing at this festival. You can watch others dance or participate in a dance lesson.
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Between dances and concerts, you can visit the arts and craft vendors and also indulge in some very, very tasty food.
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Who doesn’t love beer and pretzels? There are plenty of both, no matter how big your appetite.
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There is on-site, dry camping if you want to stick around all weekend. Once you get some rest, you can get back to the dancing.
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Oregon’s Alpenfest is a great big party and you are invited! Head on out to Joseph and be ready to enjoy everything that this Swiss-Bavarian celebration has to offer. Once you go once, you’ll want to go back year after year. They’ll be waiting for you with accordions!
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Looking for more fall fun in Oregon? Check out this list for more! 11 Unique Fall Festivals In Oregon You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
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Address: Chief Joseph Days Rodeo, 405 W Wallowa Ave, Joseph, OR 97846, USA
