MONTGOMERY — This year’s Oktoberfest has added several new features, highlighted by a planned visit by the sternwheeler Spirit of West Virginia.

Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Montgomery.

Spirit of West Virginia will be available in the Kanawha River that Saturday for five separate rides, according to Diana Wilson of the sponsoring Upper Kanawha Valley Economic Development Corporation.

Individuals are urged to get tickets in advance. They will be $10 for adults and children. Fifty passengers will be allowed per ride.

Tickets can be purchased at these locations for the following ride times:

Elk Furniture — 11:30 a.m. ride time;

The Cellar — 1 and 2:30 p.m.; and

Renee Scent-Sations — 4 and 5:30 p.m. (last ride).

Rides will board at the end of Monroe Street, which is next to 7-11.

* * *

Oktoberfest will offer a little something for everyone.

An authentic German beer garden opens at noon, and there will be activities for children from noon to 6 p.m. In addition, there will be a classic car and truck show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., German food, crafts and artisan vendors, the WVU Tech-Bethel College football game at 1:30 p.m. and Blue & Gold Day beginning at 8:30 a.m. featuring campus tours, a funeral parade, open house and campus tours of Bridgemont Community and Technical College from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and a cornhole tournament at 4 p.m.

Live entertainment will be as follows:

Stonestreet — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.;

Elvis — 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.;

Lady D — 3 to 4 p.m.;

Funeral Parade — 5 to 6 p.m.;

Information — 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and

The Esquires — 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Sponsors are AEP, Kanawha River Plant; Brookfield Renewable Power, Brown Chevrolet, Burgess Real Estate, Cedar Trucking, City of Montgomery, City National Bank, Danhill Construction, Fayette County Commission, Fraternal Order of Eagles #1040, Quincy Coal, Smith, Cochran & Hicks, Taco Bell, United Bank, Upper Kanawha Valley Economic Development Corporation, and West Virginia American Water.

For more information on any of the day’s activities or to check the availability of vendor space, visit www.ukvworks4u.com or call 304-981-6400.