Dust off your dirndl, lace up your lederhosen, scrub out your stein and head to Oregon’s oldest and largest Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 17 to 20 in Mount Angel, around 18 miles northeast of Salem.

The Mount Angel Oktoberfest celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and will transform the small town into a Bavarian wonderland that attracts around 350,000 visitors. Three main festhalles — the Weingarten, Biergarten and Alpinegarten — host the bulk of Oktoberfest’s music, dancing and beverages.

Of course beer is the star of the show. To commemorate the 50th anniversary, Eugene’s Ninkasi Brewing has crafted the Mount Angel Oktoberfest, which the brewery describes as a light-bodied, German-style lager using hops sourced from within three miles of Mount Angel. German brewer Warsteiner (the oldest brewery in the world) is also providing a limited-release hefe-wiessbier available in Oregon only at the Mount Angel Oktoberfest.

A wide selection of other beers from Ninkasi, Hop Valley, Benedictine, Seven Brides, Laurelwood, Boneyard and other Northwest breweries is available. German “biers” from Weihenstephaner, Maisel, Radeburger, König and Ayinger are also on tap. For a palate refresher, you could try a radler from Shofferhofer or Stiegl, or ciders from 2 Towns Ciderhouse or Wandering Aengus Ciderworks. There are also a variety of Northwest and German wines and non-alcoholic beers available. The selection of beer and wine varies at each venue and several other locations around town also sell food, beer and wine.

While some may consider the sight of thousands of men in leather shorts a form of entertainment in itself, the official Oktoberfest entertainment leans primarily toward traditional German polka, yodeling and beer-hall music, with some performers flown in from Germany just for the event. A highlight this year is The von Trapp Family Singers — four great-grandchildren of Captain and Maria von Trapp of “The Sound of Music” fame — who will be performing in the Biergarten on Saturday and Sunday.

Aside from the beer halls, Oktoberfest offers a number of other activities, including over 50 food vendors lining the main street, arts and craft stalls, maypole dancing, historical displays, a car show, sacred and spiritual choral music, and even alphorn performances. There is also plenty of fun for kids, such as balloon sculptures, face painting, pony rides, a large straw maze, magic shows, weiner dog races and a petting zoo.

Most events are free but the Biergarten, Weingarten and Alpinegarten have a cover charge for attendees over 21. A four-day pass costs $25 and provides unlimited entry to all venues. Day passes cost between $5 and $15 depending on the day and time of purchase. Seniors pay $5 for a day pass Thursday and active or retired military receive a $2 discount Friday. Beer and wine costs $5 to $7 per serving.

For more information and a detailed schedule of entertainment and activities, go to www.oktoberfest.org or call 855-899-6338.

— Reporter: 541-383-0350, khimstreet@bendbulletin.com