BI Senior Center’s Resource Fair has an Oktoberfest Theme—and Beer to Prove it!

Kevin Dwyer | Posted on September 25, 2023 |

Using alcohol to lure potential supporters to an event of any kind is as old as the hills. Think Greeks and Romans. Indeed, attend almost any fundraiser on Bainbridge Island and you’re likely to see wine, beer and spirits freely flowing in an effort to get patrons to open up their wallets and purses and support the cause.

The Bainbridge Island Senior/Community Center (BISCC) is not above using that same tactic – albeit at a lesser volume – to attract attendees to this coming Saturday’s Oktoberfest Resource Fair.

On Saturday, Sept. 30, from 11 am to 3 pm, The BI Senior/Community Center will again host its popular Oktoberfest Resource Fair. More than three dozen non-profit and for-profit Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County agencies and organizations will staff tables to explain everything from Orcas (the card) to composting (your body).

The list of vendors includes organizations such as AARP, Bainbridge Prepares, BARN, BI Senior Living, Cook Family Funeral Home, Fieldstone Bainbridge, Helpline House, IVC, Kitsap Transit, Medicare Optimized, T&C, Zero Waste and many others. The event is sponsored by Puget Sound Energy.

The fair will kick off at 11 a.m. after some brief comments from Mayor Brenda Fantroy-Johnson. For those who don’t know, the Senior/Community Center is located at 370 Brien Dr. SE, between Waterfront Park and Town and Country Market. Admission is free. For more information contact the Bainbridge Island Senior/Community Center at 206-842-1616.

When asked what would attract the more of the community to the lively Resource Fair, BISCC Executive Director Reed Price suggested “free beer.” State law does not permit free beer, so attendees will have to pay a $1 for a mug, generously donated by Bainbridge Brewing.

Note to skeptics: the famous Munich Oktoberfest in Germany does indeed traditionally occur at the end of September. For a complete list of resources at the event check out the website: https://biseniorcenter.org/oktoberfest. “Resources are not just for seniors,” Price notes. “All are invited.”

*Images courtesy of BISCC