Rocktoberfest provides weekend entertainment, fun for teens

This weekend marks the ninth annual Rocktoberfest in Cheyenne County. Rocktoberfest is an event for youths in 7th through 12th grades and will take place at the Youth Center on October 4 and 5 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Kids Plus is putting on the event, and they have been catering to families and young people in Cheyenne County for more than 20 years.

Rocktoberfest will charge guests $3 per night, but they give 50 percent of the admission fees to SMAC. Last year, Kids Plus donated $744 to the program.

The first year the event was put on, 100 Cheyenne County teens went to the event. Since then, it has grown to serve over 500 young people in the area.

“The goal of this event is to provide a non-alcohol event for the kids to be a part of while Oktoberfest is taking place,” Kids Plus Director, Cassandra Challburg explained. “Rocktoberfest wishes to build on the success and involvement Oktoberfest brings to our communities, while allowing kids to be kids and adults can enjoy being at the beer gardens without putting our youth at risk.”

The event is two nights of free popcorn and soda, musical entertainment provided by Projekt 3D from Sidney, gaming contests and a chance to win a gaming system and other prizes including iTunes cards. Rocktoberfestwill also have an inflatable sports arena, an obstacle course, Velcro wall and Sumo wrestling.

The event is a fun way to show young people in the county a fun weekend while keeping the focus on prevention of underage drinking, tobacco and other drugs.

Rocktoberfest is put on through much support from the community. Kids Plus received multiple grants in order to have an age appropriate event amid Oktoberfest.

“Each year there has been an increase of youth who participate in Rocktoberfest and each year the cost to produce this event increases. By giving youth an alternative, safe place to go versus hanging out at the beer gardens we are providing them with a protected environment,” Challburg said.