The October 21, 2023 Oktoberfest event.

Wayne Wilson, the Exalted Ruler of the Petaluma Elks Lodge, joins Steve Jaxon and Herlinda Heras on Brew Ha Ha. The Petaluma Elks Lodge is sponsoring an Oktoberfest Beer Event on Saturday, October 21. The Elks are a charitable and fraternal organization, for men and women. This event is a fund raiser for The Elks National Foundation.

Wayne Wilson describes their activities like Veterans service projects. The Elks also have one of the largest scholarship programs in the country and the National Foundation supports that. They also get involved in drug use prevention and organized sports competition.

The Elks lodge started as a bunch of Broadway actors in the 1870s. They were called The Jolly Corks. The New York Blue Laws prohibited bars from being open on Sundays. As a private club they could serve alcohol after midnight on Saturday nights. They also developed a social and fraternal organization to help their members with issues like injuries and medical problems.

The original Elks held a vote to choose their mascot animal and it came down to a vote of 8-7 in favor of Elks over Buffaloes.

They just held the Purple Pig Poker Run which is a combination poker game and car and motorcycle rally. It raises money for mental health and medical support for kids in need.

Russian River Brewing Co. is open in Santa Rosa on 4th St. and at their big Windsor location. Visit their website for up-to-date hours, menus, beers and more.

They have sold out tickets for the Oktoberfest Beer as of now so the best way to get in is as the guest of an Elks member. Anyone interested in the Elks can just come over and meet them.

See our sponsor Victory House at Poppy Bank Epicenter online, for their latest viewing and menu options.

Their events are an opportunity to socialize while also supporting their many charitable activities. They also put on Sunday Football Breakfasts. They get together with several TVs in a large facility and a patio out back with a barbeque. We also hear about the Mentor Me program and the Children’s Christmas Party.