F redericksburg’s long-standing annual festival brings its German roots alive and a bit of Bavaria to the Hill Country.
Three days of singing, toasting, dancing and Gemütlichkeit (neighborly good will) will be featured at the 44th Oktoberfest Friday through Sunday, Oct. 4-6.
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 named by USA Today as one of the 10 Best in the U.S. The event is again expected to attract 26,000 visitors, along with 1,400 volunteers.
Special events Friday, Oct. 4
• OkTubaFest at 5:45 p.m. Friday afternoon, will take place just inside the front gate. Tuba and euphonium players are invited to participate. The tuba performers will play for a half hour.
• Meet the Shiner (Spoetzl Brewery) and Leinenkugel brew masters.
• The Altstadt Brewery Waltz Contest will take place at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5
• At 8:30 a.m., runners will gather for the 13th annual Rotary Kraut Run. Fredericksburg Morning Rotary sponsors the annual race with a 5K and 8K run and a non-timed 5K walk.
• Hauptstrasse (Main Street) Chicken Dance, registration at 9 a.m. and dancing at 9:30 a.m. Join hundreds of others in this annual tradition.
• Samuel Adams Stein Hoist at 1 p.m.
• Meet the Altstadt brew meister and the Weihenstephan Polka Contest at 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6
• 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 rotation of entertainers that feature the German favorites of oompah, polka and waltzing and plenty of opportunities for dancing.
• Bands scheduled to perform at the festival include Blaskapelle Lüchtringen (from Germany), Czech & Then Some, the Czechaholics, Comal Community Band, Schuhplattlers, The Walburg Boys, Seven Dutchmen, The Polkamatics, Chris Rybak, the Cloverleaf Orchestra, Der Klein Steins, Red Ravens, Yodel Blitz, Ennis Czech Boys, The Oompahs, Pivo Polka Band, The Tubameisters, Round Top Brass Band, Jodie Mikula, Off The Grid, Hermann Sons/ Arion Männerchor, Fredericksbuerg Filharmonic and Mario’s Accordion. Strolling accordionists include Shirley Johnson 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 person/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 www.oktoberfestparkandride.com and will also be available at the fair grounds parking location during the festival.
About
Since its inception in 1981, Oktoberfest has been presented by the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance (PCAA). Proceeds from the all-volunteer event are used for student scholarships, gifts and grants, the Marktplatz Concert Series and support of local arts.
Hours — October 4-6
Friday — 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday — 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission
$15 for adults $1 for children 7-12 Free for children 6 and under. Two-day passes — $20 Three-day passes — $25
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