Hop Queen Rikki Wallawine says the Great Northwest Oktoberfest is a chance to come together for some fun.

“It brings the community together,” she said. “It’s the chance to chase away the sorrows of the work week and have a great time.”

Wallawine was selected during last fall’s Oktoberfest to serve as the 2018 Hop Queen and she will reign over the first weekend of this year’s festival on Sept. 27-29 before handing over the crown to the 2019 Hop Queen who will reign Oct. 4-6 and for next year’s festival.

“Being Hop Queen is the chance to represent Montana and the spirit of Whitefish,” she said. “I’m excited to be able to provide education about beer in the fun atmosphere of Oktoberfest.”

Wallawine has lived in Whitefish for the last five years. She began working at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake before moving into her current role as the food and beverage manager at the Firebrand Hotel.

She is originally from Libby and spent five years traveling to different National Parks around the country working in the food and beverage industry before moving here.

Moving back to Montana meant the chance to be near family and she says when you’ve lived in the Big Sky state a piece of it always stays with you.

“Montana is special with its mountain and lakes,” she said. “And the people are so welcoming in a way that you don’t find any place else.”

She says there’s a saying that you’ve been “Whitefished” when you come to love it here and know how special the community is.

Wallawine says her beers of choice are a good pilsner, Shock Top or the Good Med Montana Red Ale from Great Northern Brewing Co.