Oktoberfest 2024 festival master and wife revealed at the festival master ball | Local News

LA CROSSE (WKBT) – Mike Bakalars and his wife Bethany Bakalars were announced as the new Festmaster and wife at the Festmaster's Ball on Wednesday.

The Bakalars own the Bakalars Sausage Company in La Crosse.

Mike Bakalars is a Minnesota native who attended the Citadel and was commissioned as a U.S. naval officer.

Bethany Bakalars is a graduate of Onalaska High School and UWL.

The two share three children and are active in the La Crosse Mardi Gras and the Gateway Area Council Boy Scouts of America.

Mike said he's most looking forward to being with a lot of people this year.

“Sharing the Oktoberfest experience with the people of La Crosse. For me, Oktoberfest has always been about bringing people together, literally generations, friends, families and even communities, so I'm excited to be a part of that,” said Mike, Oktoberfest Festmeister.

The festival master is at the head of the Oktoberfest royal family and is elected annually by the board of trustees.

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