Oktoberfest arrives at Lake Las Vegas

By Dave Clark

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 | 3:07 p.m.

With brats, beer and German music, Oktoberfest reached the unlikely shores of the Mediterranean-themed Lake Las Vegas on Friday.

Along with the food and the music of the Dummkopfs, attendees were entertained by three nightly contests: beer chugging, dancing and yodeling. Henderson resident Richard Cavano outdrank the rest of his five-person field to win a night at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort.

"I've always wanted to go to Loews," said his girlfriend Lauvatis Smith, 65, after Cavano downed his tall glass. "I'm excited about it."

Cavano, 49, said he is a fan of Oktoberfest and was eager to come after hearing a radio ad.

"It's a lot of fun," he said. "People can be themselves."

For 9-year-old Shaun Brown, the MonteLago Village celebration provided the opportunity for his first time dancing. Raquel Sanchez, 29, had wanted to enter the dance contest but lacked a partner. Brown volunteered, and they won.

Sanchez, who works at Lake Las Vegas, spends much of her free time there as well, drawn to its unique setting.

"There are so many events here," she said. "I live nearby, but it's like a vacation."

Emil Syska, 30, arrived with a group of friends and his fiancee, Heidi Kabler, 30, who provided the cheering section for his inaugural yodeling performance.

"My dad is German," said Syska, surprised by his victory. "It must be in the blood."

They often come to Lake Las Vegas for the Wine Walks.

"We always have a great time," Syska said. "The atmosphere is like a quaint little village. It's always relaxing."

Jim Hemming, a member of the Dummkopfs for 23 years, has been playing trombone since 1942. October is one of his busiest times of year, when the band plays between 30 and 40 gigs, he said. However, the hectic schedule is OK with him.

"Playing is what I like to do," he said.

Oktoberfest continues this week, running from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].