OOMPAH, RESUMED

The 40th Oktoberfest will again bring 22,000 visitors and 1,400 volunteers to Fredericksburg’s largest party.

The 40th Oktoberfest is set for Oct. 1-3 at Marktplatz (Market Square). After cancelation last year due to coronavirus concerns, Fredericksburgers will welcome guests from all over the U.S. with excitement and Gemütlichkeit.

The oom-pah-pah echo of the 39 previous years will warm all the hearts and minds of people who have made Oktoberfest their annual tradition, many who traversed hundreds of miles to attend.

Five covered stages host a continuous parade of entertainers. The focus is the German favorites of oompah, polka and waltzing, with a Lederhosen and Stein Hoist contest, and plenty of opportunities for dancing — including the popular “Chicken Dance!”

Bands scheduled to perform this year include:

Oma and The Oompahs, Arion Maennerchor, Comal Community Band, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Round Top Brass Band, German Schuhplattlers, Seven Dutchmen, Walburg Boys, Polkamatics, Boerne Village Band, and Ennis Czech Boys.

Also, Hermann Sons Mixed Choir, Czechaholics, Czech & Then Some, Chris Rybak, Swingin’ Dutchmen, Off The Grid, Tubameisters, Fredericksburg Filharmonic, Akkordion Klub of Fredericksburg, Yodel Blitz, Sax Appeal, Mario’s Accordion, Herschel Moody, Shirley Johnson and Isaak Klaus.

Oktoberfest attracts over 40 juried artisans from across the state who fill two big tents, offering their best arts and collectibles. In another tent, a select group of local Hill Country artists will be selling their fine art to the public in a rare showing.

A menu of German and American foods will be offered. Over a dozen vendors will serve up a variety of sausage on a stick and plates with kraut, potato pancakes, burgers, wood-fired pizza, plus other goodies. Adventurous tasters can sample over 50 varieties of German, American, Texan, and other imported beers.

Oktoberfest is a time for the youngsters as well. Kids can play to their heart’s content on the bungee jump and slide, try their hand at the hi-strikers, or enjoy other fun games and activities, including a stilt-walker, magician and face painter.

Oktoberfest received several accolades in 2020: Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post 2020 Readers’ Choice presented Oktoberfest Best Festival; in 2019, USA Today named Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg as one of the 10 BEST in the US; the fall issue of Heimat Abroad, a bilingual magazine for the German-speaking community, listed our Oktoberfest as one of The Greatest Oktoberfests in North America 2019.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES

FRIDAY • Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting • OkTUBAfest • Meet the Shiner (Spoetzl Brewery), Leinenkugel and Radeberger brew meisters • Altstadt Waltz Contest

SATURDAY • Rotary Oktoberfest Kraut Run • Oktoberfest Hauptstrasse Chicken Dance • Meet the Altstadt Brew Meister • Hi-Striker Competition • Samuel Adams Beer Stein Hoist

SUNDAY • Real Estate Advisory Team 42 Tournament • Oktoberfest Family Lederhosen and Dirndl Contest • Altstadt Yodeling Contest

ALL WEEKEND 1. Enjoy brats, wurst and kraut — and lots of it 2. Ring the Bell at The High Striker 3. KinderPark games for children 4. Eat the potato pancakes, and funnel cakes 5. Oompah music on five stages, all weekend long 6, Partake of a wide variety of domestic, Texas and

German beer 7. Oktoberfest Park and Ride Shuttle Service on

Friday and Saturday

ANGLE ON THE ARTS

Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance (PCAA) began and orchestrates the Fredericksburg Oktoberfest, and proceeds are used to fund youth arts and music scholarships, as well as community arts and music programs. Its success has enabled many young people to go to college and study music or the arts. The Oktoberfest proceeds also fund many local arts organizations.

www.oktoberfestinfbg.com

Office: 830-997-4810