East County Business News by Rick Griffin
The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will combine its annual meeting with an Oktoberfest kickoff party from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Continental Catering, 8238 Parkway Dr., in La Mesa. Refreshments will be bratwurst from Tarantino Gourmet Sausages and craft beer from Samuel Adams Brewery. Cost is free Chamber members and volunteers. Guests are $10 per person. RSVPs are requested by Sept. 16. To RSVP, call (619) 465-7700, ext. 2, or send an e-mail to rsvp@LaMesaChamber.com. The La Mesa Chamber is now in its fifth year of operation.
The Chamber will co-host, along with the La Mesa Village Merchants Association, the 40th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest, a three-day street festival, Oct. 4-6. The annual Oktoberfest, considered the largest Oktoberfest celebration west of the Mississippi River, draws more than 250 vendors and 200,000 people to La Mesa. The event is held over 10 city blocks in Downtown La Mesa along La Mesa Boulevard, between Acacia Street and 4th Avenue. The Chamber’s beer garden pavilion is located in the Allison Street parking lot, between Pine and Palm streets. Oktoberfest’s presenting sponsor is Sycuan Casino, entertainment sponsor is Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and food court sponsor is Windermere Real Estate SoCal – La Mesa.