Oktoberfest and Christmas Scrip Kickoff is Thursday, October 28

The city of Malta kicks off the holiday season this Thursday, October 28, with the fourth annual Oktoberfest.

Malta’s banks and participating businesses will be open on Thursday till 8 p.m.

The Christmas scrip program is available at all three local banks; The First State Bank of Malta, Bank of Malta, and Independence Bank. The scrip program offers up to $1,000 in loans that are paid back in 10 monthly installments. This year, individuals can get scrip from October 28 through December 24.

Last year, Phillips County residents invested $189,490 in scrip that was spent at local participating businesses.

This year, the festivities get underway at 3:00 p.m. with a celebration for the return of the refurbished and historic Malta – Zortman Stagecoach at the Antique Modes of Transportation Museum. There will be a short speech on the history of the “Mud Wagon” stagecoach and what it took to refurbish it.

At 4:00 p.m. the stagecoach will be at the east end of Veteran’s Park to offer kids short rides in the stagecoach. Rumor has it that Mayor Demarais may be riding shotgun in period clothing.

Patty’s Floral is holding a pumpkin carving contest. Entrants need to have their pumpkins at Patty’s by 4:00 p.m. and can pick up their entries after judging before 8:00 p.m. The winning jack-o-lanterns will receive gift cards from Joe’s In and Out.

At 5:00 p.m., the festivities start on the Stockman Terrace.

The 4H club will be holding a bake sale.

There is a Soup Cookoff contest. Participants are asked to pre-register with Katie Smith. Last-minute calls are ok. There is a $10 entry fee and participants are asked to bring serving utensils, an extension cord, and a list of ingredients. Prizes of $200 and $100 will be given out for first and second places.

A Scarecrow Decorating Contest will also be held at 5:00 p.m. on the terrace. A $50 prize awaits first place and a $25 prize for second.

If the culinary arts aren’t your thing and decorating isn’t in your repertoire, Blue Ridge Brewing will be on hand with trivia starting at 6:00 p.m. They will also have a couple of their brews on hand to try. A light beer, Beauchamp Blonde, and a dark one called Slippery Ann Stout.

The spooktacular weekend continues on Friday, October 29, with the Halloween Parade sponsored by Independence Bank at 3:30 p.m.

Participants are asked to meet at Veteran’s Memorial Park at 3:15 p.m. for trick or treat bags and goodies. Stop in downtown businesses and do some trick or treating as well.

On All Hallows Eve, Sunday, October 31, the Kiwanis Club, Key Club, and Grace Fellowship is sponsoring a Trunk or Treat at the east parking lot of the high school from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. They are expecting around 300 kids and are looking for more individuals and businesses to decorate the trunks or back hatches of their vehicles and hand out goodies to the kids. It is a fun and safe way for kids to trick or treat in a lighted parking lot. A great way for individuals to hand out candy to a large number of kids as well.

Throw in supporting the high school volleyball team at the 2B District Tourney at Wolf Point on Friday and Saturday and the high school football team at home on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the State Playoffs and you’ve got a great weekend to get out and support the city of Malta all the way around.