Traditions New and Old in FEST Camper Village

West Salem, WI- When over one thousand campers begin to converge on the LaCrosse Fairgrounds in West Salem at noon this Monday September 29th, there will be traditions new and old awaiting them.

An all new Camper Challenge Tournament, Special Olympics Charity Poker Tournament, Grilled Cheese Sandwich Contest and Thursday Night Dean’s Satellite Viewing Party join the FEST Traditions that including the Pet Costume Parade, Pumpkin Coloring Contest, Charity Pancake Breakfast, Legendary After Race Parties and Memorabilia Show.

For the first time ever, a Charity Poker Tournament benefiting the Special Olympics will be held on Wednesday October 1 from 7 until 9:30pm in the Exhibition Hall. Campers are invited to compete in the wheeling & dealing of good times against fellow fans, drivers, crew members and officials.

At high noon Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Big Red, campers are invited to get their best team together to participate in all three Camper Challenge Events. The overall winners will receive prizes and more importantly bragging rights as the ‘Boss of the Toss’. The Ringtoss competition kicks off the action on Thursday, followed by the Cornhole tournament on Friday and Saturday’s Ladderball contest.

Dean’s Satellite will have a viewing party in the Exhibition Hall all night Thursday, so you can check out the big game without missing any of the racing action, which includes crowning of the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Champions as well as the Super Late Model Futures feature event.

The traditional Pet Costume Parade has become a favorite amongst Camper Village. Taking place outside the Exhibition Hall at 2:15pm Friday, you never quite know what to expect from the pets or their owners. Bring your pets in full costume and join in on the fun.

The annual Memorabilia Show features well over six decades of racing nostalgia that will bring back memories of past Oktoberfest triumphs, seasons, and fierce battles. Nearly forty vendors will be on-hand with vintage photos, programs, posters and more. Doors will open at 9am on Saturday in the Exhibition Hall and the admission is free.

It is time to determine who has the best grilled cheese sandwich in Camper Village. If you think you have what it takes, bring your grilled cheese to the Exhibition Hall on Saturday at 11am to be judged by a panel of highly respected International Grilled Cheese Judges. Prizes for the best Grilled Cheese will be awarded.

Perhaps the event that sets FEST aside from all others is the Charity Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning from 7:30 until 11am. Campers, fans, drivers, past champions, officials and everyone that make up the great racing family come together for this traditional event in Exhibition Hall which includes the Kid’s Pumpkin Coloring Contest at 9am. Either before or after pancakes, join us for fellowship in a non-demoninational Church Service at 9:30am in the “Big Red Barn.”

The race day activities will conclude on Sunday morning with the popular on-track autograph session at 11am, where fans can meet all of the stars that race on the track Sunday. Then, fans can get autographs of legends of the past at the 6th annual Champion’s Re-Union, in the grandstand hospitality chalet. Both events are FREE with your Sunday admission ticket.

Campers wishing to utilize their golf carts as well as the all new grandstand golf cart parking area are encouraged to register for their permit in advance for $50 by calling 608-786-1525. Units will not be allowed on the premises without a permit which can also be purchased at the event for $75.

The racing portion of the 45th Oktoberfest Race Weekend at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway begins Thursday night October 2nd, featuring seventeen divisions of racing and will conclude on Sunday afternoon October 5th, with the running of the 200 lap ARCA Midwest Tour Championship feature. For additional information regarding the Oktoberfest Race Weekend please visit Oktoberfest Race Weekend | October 2-5, 2014 or call the Speedway Office at 608-786-1525.