WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- The fall festival season is here and Whiteface Mountain, in Wilmington, N.Y., welcomes everyone to its 23^rd annual Oktoberfest, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4-5. The two-day festival is a great time to celebrate the autumn season, Bavarian style, with a tall mug of beer, great food, vendors, rides and much more.

There’s plenty of music too. Returning favorites include die Schlauberger, Spitze, Alpenland Taenzer, Schachtelgbirger Musikanten and 3 Alphorns, while Herb Liebenhagen performs for the first time at Whiteface.

But that’s not all; new events have also been added to the weekend’s lineup to include the Lederhosen 5k Trail Run and 1k Fun Run.

During the runs participants will be encouraged to dress up with German flair and race through some of the mountain’s trails. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers and for the best costumes.

Participants can pre-register for the 5k run by visiting http://www.active.com/wilmington-ny/running/trail-run-races/oktoberfest-lederhosen-5k-trail-run-2014. The cost is $50 and those who participate in the race will receive free admission into Oktoberfest, a t-shirt and a pint of beer or soda. Those who pre-register on-line will receive a t-shirt.

The 1k cost is $15 and includes a pint glass filled with beer (or soda) and participants will try to finish the race without spilling. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest finishers with the most beer (or soda) left in their pint glass and for best costume.

The 1k will start at 1 p.m., Saturday, with registration on site.

The Whiteface Mountain Oktoberfest is also pleased to announce that High Peaks Juggling will also be back with a whole new show. Fun for the entire family, High Peaks Juggling will perform two shows both Saturday and Sunday as the Little Circus in the Ausable Room, behind the Base Camp Market. With a little aerial artistry and tight wire mixed in, the show includes juggling, audience participation and vaudeville and variety show type material.

Oktoberfest will be held Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A complimentary shuttle service will be provided both days. Departure from the Olympic Center Box Office in Lake Placid takes place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Departure from Whiteface to Lake Placid takes place at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. (Sunday only), and 6 p.m. (Saturday only).   From Wilmington pick-ups are at noon both days with the return shuttle leaving Whiteface at 5 p.m.

Admission to this year’s Oktoberfest celebration is $16 for adults. The adult festival admission with the gondola ride is $30. The junior and senior admission is $10, and with the gondola ride the cost is $24.

For more information about Oktoberfest and all of the events and activities taking place on ORDA’s Olympic venues, visit www.whitefacelakeplacid.com.

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.