Oktoberfest

Sophie Bourquin dances with others during the Haupstrasse Chicken Dance Saturday morning.

Three days of singing, toasting, dancing and Gemütlichkeit will be featured at the 43rd Oktoberfest Friday through Sunday, Oct. 6-8.

Sponsored by the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance (PCAA), the family-oriented German event will take place at Marktplatz in downtown Fredericksburg. Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg was recently named by USA Today as one of the 10 Best in the US.

The event is again expected to attract 1,400 volunteers and more than 22,000 visitors.

The annual Kraut Run draws runners to participate in the 5k and 8K runs, as well as a 5k non-timed walk.

Special Events Friday, Oct. 6

OkTubaFest at 5:45 p.m. Friday afternoon, will take place just inside the front gate. All tuba and euphonium players are invited to participate. The tuba performers will play until 6:16 p.m.

Meet the Shiner (Spoetzl Brewery) brew master at 6 p.m.

The Altstadt Brewery Waltz Contest will take place at 8:30 p.m.

Chloe Bequillart, from Tennessee, and Mick Baker, from Georgia, participated in the Altstadt Waltz Contest..

Saturday, Oct. 7

At 8:30 a.m., runners will gather for the 12th annual Rotary Kraut Run. Fredericksburg Morning Rotary sponsors the annual race that includes both a 5k and 8k run and a 5k non-timed walk.

Hauptstrasse (Main Street) Chicken Dance, registration at 9 a.m. and dancing at 9:30 a.m.

Samuel Adams Stein Hoist at 1 p.m. Altstadt Keg Tapping at 2 p.m.and meet the Altstadt Brew Meister.

Sunday, Oct. 8

Real Estate Advisory Team 42 Tournament in Strassen Zelt. Registration begins at noon and the tournament begins at 1 p.m. Prizes will be given for the first-, second- and third-place teams.

Oktoberfest Family Lederhosen and Dirndl Contest at 2:30 p.m.

Entertainment

Five covered stages will host a continuous parade of entertainers that feature the German favorites of oompah, polka and waltzing, with a Lederhosen and Stein Hoist contest, and plenty of opportunities for dancing.

Bands scheduled to perform at the festival include Elzkrainer, Czech & Then Some, Ennis Czech Boys, Red Ravens, Czechaholics, Walburg Boys, Swingin’ Dutchmen, The Tubameisters, Sax Appeal, Off the Grid, The Seven Dutchmen, Chris Rybak, Shirley Johnson, Comal

Charlie Kiehne, dressed as the famous chicken, leads the Haupstrasse Chicken Dance Saturday.

Community Band, Schuhplattlers, Boerne Village Band, Hermann Sons Mixed Choir and Arion Männerchor, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Yodel Blitz, The Oompahs, Cloverleafs, Polkamatics, Fredericksburg Filharmonic, Mario’s Accordion, Zuhause Junge Opa Band, Pivo & Polka Band and Herschel Moody.

There will also be many other attractions for both adults and children to enjoy.

• Shopping: Artisans from across the state will fill two tents with their best arts and collectibles.

• Art: A select group of Hill Country artists will be selling their art.

• Food: An array of German and American food will be offered by over a dozen vendors.

• Drinks: Tasters can sample a variety of German, American, Texan and other imported beers.

• Children’s area: Youngsters can try their hand at the hi-strikers along with many other games and activities, including a magician and face painter.

Park and Ride

Oktoberfest visitors can take advantage of a park and ride on Friday and Saturday.

Parking will be available at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds from 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 6 and from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 7.

The cost is $10 per per-son/day for adults and free for children six and under.

Park and ride tickets are available for advance purchase on the Oktoberfest website until Oct. 6 at oktoberfestparkandride.com and will also be available at the fair grounds parking location during the festival.

Steelye Harrison serves up iced cold brews to patrons during Friday night’s festivities.

About

Since its inception in 1981, Oktoberfest has been presented by the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance (PCAA).

Community volunteers provide the labor, and all Oktoberfest proceeds are used for student scholarships, gifts and grants, the Marktplatz Concert Series and to support the local arts.

This festival gives locals a place to honor their German heritage and visitors an opportunity to experience a long-standing Fredericksburg tradition. For more information on Oktoberfest call 830-997-4810 or oktoberfestinfbg.com.

Hours:

Friday — 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday — 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission:

Adults...........................................................................$10
Children 7-12............................................................... $1
Children 6 and Under.......................................... Free

Two-Day Passes
Adults...................................................................$15
Children.................................................................$2

Three-Day Passes
Adults..................................................................$20
Children................................................................ $3

Upload date: 10/11/2023 02:45 AM