Mari Rudd, right, of the Tirolean Dancers, critiques the technique of former Alpenmeister Chuck Anderson and his wife, Carmen, during dance lessons Sept. 27, 2024, during this year's Oregon's Alpenfest in Joseph.

JOSEPH — Nine kegs of Terminal Gravity beer, plenty of bratwurst and beautiful weather made for a 2024 Oregon’s Alpenfest to remember, Alpenmeister Stefan Hasselblad said Monday, Sept. 30.

About 1,200 people attended this year’s event, counting the outdoor Alpenfair; the indoor dinner, dancing and music; and the Sunday Alphorn concert at the summit of Mount Howard above the Wallowa Lake Tramway, Hasselblad said.

Music by the Polkatones, including waltzes, polkas and folk music from the Alps, filled the Joseph Community Events Center on Friday and Saturday. Some of the selections included the well-known “Beer Barrel Polka” and  “Pennsylvania Polka.” Couples from the audience were encouraged to dance to the music.

Also dancing were the Tirolean Dancers, some of whom were members of the Polkatones. Mother and son Mari and Erik Rudd of the Tiroleans even gave dance lessons.

Based on ticket sales, Hasselblad said the numbers were up from previous years by about 20%.

“I think the weather helped. … The street fair was definitely up,” he said. “The weather was so beautiful.”

The alpenmeister said that while most people there were from Oregon, he knew of a number who came from the Boise area. One couple, who were traveling the country in their motor home, came from Texas.

The newest item added to the festivities this year was a trade-school scholarship to be awarded from Alpenfest proceeds in memory of Josef “Joe” Ehrler, a founder of the festival, who died after last year’s Alpenfest.

However, until the Alpenfest board and the Ehrler family confirm the amount of the scholarship and its recipient, neither could be announced Monday. He did say it will be combined with scholarships donated and administered by the Rotary Club of Wallowa County.

On Friday evening, Joe Ehrler’s son, Kurt, took the microphone and talked about his father’s interest in Alpenfest and desire to encourage young people to work as tradesmen, as he did as an electrician.

The winning ticket for a gift basket was drawn by Kurt’s son, Chesley, who had been dancing to the music of the Polkatones in his lederhosen and Alpine hat. The basket went to Ally Peasley, who came decked out in her dirndl.

Hasselblad said Alpenfest will continue to raise money for the Ehrler scholarship.

“From here on out we will continue to raise money going to the trade school scholarship,” he said.