Thursday, Sep. 27 2012 5:33PM

‘First tap’ on deck

Oktoberfest’s chair to tap out for last time

Toriano Porter

tporter@lsjournal.com

Karl Bertram has served as committee chair for the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce’s annual Oktoberfest for nearly 20 years, so Sept. 27’s “First Tap” kick-off event was a bittersweet event as Bertram called it a wrap on his festival duties.

Oktoberfest officially begins tonight from 5 to 11 p.m. and runs through Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“Tonight (Sept. 27) Karl Bertram kicks off the Oktoberfest festivities with the first tap of the kegs,” Nancy Bruns, Chamber president, said in a statement just hours before Bertram’s tap. “Bertram has been the committee chair of Oktoberfest for almost 20 years. The Chamber is using this special opportunity to celebrate and thank Bertram for his years of service in this role.”

Several acts are included in this year’s Oktoberfest music celebration, including American Idol contestant Luke Minx and American Band Stand Walk of Fame members Charlie and the Stingrays, a Rock and Roll cover band.

Minx will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 28 on the Minsky’s Pizza Main Stage, and Charlie and the Stingrays will perform at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 29 on the main stage.

Other main stage events include a baby contest sponsored by Child Abuse Prevention Association at 10:00 a.m. Sept. 29 and a wiener dog contest at noon Sept. 29.

Toshiba Business Solutions will sponsor entertainment on the community stage both days and will feature several individuals and artistic troupes from Lee’s Summit.