The Newbury Park Rotary Club will present its 22nd annual Oktoberfest, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28, at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark. (From the 23 Freeway, take the Tierra Rejada exit.)

The event attracts festival-goers, many dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes, from around Southern California.

"We take great care that our Oktoberfest is true to the spirit of the traditional fall harvest festivals in Germany. There is something fun to do for all ages," said Mary-Catherine McBride, Newbury Park Rotary's Oktoberfest chairperson.

Major sponsors are Beck's Beer, Time Warner Cable, Harrison Industries, Opolo Wines, Storm-Larsen Co., Hollywood Storage, Ventura County Star, 1st California Bank, 92.7 Jill FM and Alvalyn Creative.

The two-day Oktoberfest will feature music from several German bands - the 20-member German-American Brass Band, German dance and musical group, Tänze der Gemütlichen Schuhplattler, LA Blue Birds, Accordian Fruende (featuring nine accordian players) and Floyd & the Flyboys.

The Spirit Cloggers will provide dance lessons to audience members. Besides the main stage, a "Showcase Stage" will feature live performances from local talent and Top 40 bands.

Both days will include best-dressed Bavarian costume (lederhosen, hats and dirndls) and stein-holding contests. Prizes will be awarded to all winners.

New this year is the "Taste of Munich" beer-tasting pavilion. Festival-goers can sample beers from four historic Munich breweries including Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Affligem and Starobrno. The cost is $10.

Family activities at Underwood Farms include a petting zoo, giant sling shot, pick-your-own pumpkins, and mining for gold and gems. Also new this year are pig races.

"Families can come enjoy a day at the farm while taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of Germany," McBride said.

Authentic German food including bratwurst, sauerkraut and strudel will be available, as well as a full food court with a variety of tastes. Piller's two-fisted Oktoberfest pretzels will again be flown in, fresh from Germany.

Oktoberfest 2008 beer mugs and Bavarian souveniers will also be for sale in the festival's craft vendor fair.

The Newbury Park Rotary is asking festival-goers to bring non-perishable food items to the event. The food will be collected and donated to the Military Families Food Fund at the Naval Base, Ventura County, in Port Hueneme.

The Rotary has contributed Thanksgiving turkeys and other food items during the holidays, but realized that the Military Families Food Fund needs goods year-round. More than 250 military families seek assistance each month. Bins will be near the entry gate so people can drop off their donations as they enter the festival.

"Young families with small children are in special need of disposable diapers and formula," McBride said. "These are huge expenses for these families who are already stretched to the limit each month."

Donations can be also dropped off early at Hollywood Storage, 3425 Old Conejo Road, 1/2 mile off the 101 Freeway at the Wendy exit, in Newbury Park.

The storage center is open from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. seven days a week. Donors can enter a drawing to win four entry tickets to Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest hours are from 9 .m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $10. Kids 2 and younger are admitted for free. Each ticket includes a hayride. Parking is free. Tickets are available online at a $1 discount.

Since its inception, Oktoberfest has raised more than $350,000 for local charities.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Rotary Web site, www.nprotary.org.