THIRD ANNUAL SML OKTOBERFEST AND 5K TRAIL RACE/WALK

The Willard Companies, in conjunction with the Smith Mountain Lake YMCA, will host the Third Annual Oktoberfest & 5K Trail Race/Walk event on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, at Westlake Towne Center in front of Sunken City Brewery. The 5K Trail Race/Walk will start at 10:30 a.m. and the Oktoberfest from noon to 5 p.m.

The festival will include live entertainment by Mountain Top Polka Band, a full-sized authentic Oktoberfest Blaskapelle band from Asheville, NC with special appearances by the local SML Saengerbund band. The event will also feature a children's play area, German food by Ole’ School Sports Grill and Good Ole Boy's Smoke'n as well as a special Oktoberfest beer by Sunken City Brewery. Festival admission for adults is $5. Children 13 and under are admitted free. Valid ID is required for 21 and older. Lawn chairs are welcome. Coolers, outside food or drinks, rollerblades, skateboards and pets and not allowed. Bags are subject to inspection.

The 5K Trail Race/Walk will start in front of Sunken City Brewery. The course will wind through the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail at the Booker T. Washington National Monument, and finish at the Oktoberfest site. Mountain Junkies will record official race times. Awards will be given to top three runners, male and female and the top finishers in each age bracket. Race/Walk registration is $25. Children under 13 is $15. T-shirts are available to the first 100 participants. All proceeds benefit the Smith Mountain Lake YMCA. Race registration forms are available for download or online registration is available at www.SMLOktoberfest.com.

“Since we launched this community two years ago, the SML Oktoberfest & 5K Race/Walk has generated over $15,000 in proceeds for the Smith Mountain Lake YMCA,” said Christopher Finley, director of marketing and communications for The Willard Companies. “The Smith Mountain Lake YMCA’s mission is building a healthy spirit, mind, and body and we are incredibly fortunate to partner with The Willard Companies and other event sponsors to grow this event into one our key fundraising events to support our cause,” said Lauren Acker, branch director at Smith Mountain Lake YMCA.

The SML Oktoberfest & 5K Trail Race/Walk is sponsored by Absolute Collision, Aztec Rental, Bank of Botetourt, Booker T. Washington National Monument, Bridgewater Marina, Carter Bank & Trust, Davenport Energy, Davis, Davis, Davis & Davis, P.C., Faber CPA Firm, LLC, Fleet Feet Sports, Haywood’s Jewelers, Laker Media, Next Generations Designs, Sunken City Brewing Company, TBS Construction, The Willard Companies, Turner’s Building, Inc., Vistar Eye Center and Westlake Automotive.

For questions regarding Oktoberfest, contact Christopher Finley at 540-721-5288. For questions regarding the 5K Trail Race/Walk, contact Lauren Acker at 540-721-9622. Visit online at www.SMLOktoberfest.com.