The Oktoberfest
Grenadiers are fashioned
after the distinctly
uniformed Bavarian
Grenadiers, who escorted
the royalty of old. The
Grenadiers were known
and named for their
practice of throwing and
carrying grenades. The
Oktoberfest Grenadiers
began in 1971, with two
people who were then
joined by a third. Since
then, people from all
walks of life have
joined the Grenadier
Corps. The Corps is
limited to 25 active
couples. To become
involved in the corps, a
couple can be nominated
by a grenadier,
director, or trustee, or
they can apply on their
own. To be nominated,
Grenadiers must be a
married couple and have
shown past involvement
in the community and
Oktoberfest. Nominations
are taken in November
and new grenadiers are
voted in by the current
members. The minimum
commitment by a couple
is three years, and
members are responsible
for their own expenses.
Friendships made within
the Grenadier Corps are
for a lifetime. They are
ambassadors for La
Crosse Festivals, Inc.,
as well as for the City
of La Crosse. Their
primary purpose is to
enhance the pageantry
and support the
functions of Oktoberfest
USA. This includes
escorting all
Festmasters and Fraus
during Oktoberfest week,
as well as escorting the
current Festmaster,
Frau, Miss La
Crosse/Oktoberfest, and
Mrs. Oktoberfest to
events during the year.
Grenadiers are also the
primary caretakers of
the Oktoberfest floats,
which have won numerous
awards at parades
throughout the year.
For more information
about becoming an
Oktoberfest Grenadier
e-mail
Oktoberfest or
download an
application,
complete it, and return
it to the Oktoberfest
Office.
