WHEATLAND – The annual Oktoberfest celebration returned to downtown Wheatland last week and took place on the first day of the winter solstice.

It was the first day of autumn and apropos for Platte County’s huge pumpkin spice, burn the leaves, dance the polka and eat the brats kind of night. There were also multiple arrests.

Nobody was left in jail for long as it was a fundraiser by Wheatland police, sheriff’s department and Wyoming Highway Patrol. To raise money for the annual Christmas “Shop with a Cop,” you could fill out an arrest warrant, naming anyone you wanted who was at the Oktoberfest. It cost you $25 to have someone arrested. As they were hauled away to the temporary jail in the downtown city street, the “criminal” could get out of jail by paying $25 or they could sing and song and do a dance to get out if they didn’t have enough money with them. Nila Hoffman, one of those arrested could be heard for blocks singing “I’m a little teapot” with the full actions accompanying the song.

Brought to you by the Platte County Main Street group and sponsored by MBPP, Laramie Peak Motors and Bob Ruwart Motors it was was an evening of fun, food, beer, music and shopping.