America: It's Oktoberfest Time
For Great Food, Music, Dancing, Leaf-Watching
and Golf, Sugar Mountain, N. C., Tops U. S. List
By Ken Paul Mink
America has many Oktoberfest celebrations each year, but none can match the variety of entertainment and nature opportunities offered at the Sugar Mountain, N. C., Resort event.
Not only can visitors take part in the usual Oktoberfest food, music and dance programs but they can rub elbows with Mother Nature as well – with everyone provided a chance to get some spectacular views of thousands of multi-colored trees going through their annual change of attire.
Long a favorite location for leaf-peepers, Sugar Mountain offers the public a chance to take a long ride up and down the mountain on the resort's ski lifts, providing a relaxed view of the beautifully-adorned mountains.
So, the resort says, "Grab your beer stein, put on your lederhosen or your dirndl, bring your appreciation for local school-age band music and head to Sugar Mountain Resort Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14. Not only will the Harbour Towne Fest Band provide a festive Bavarian atmosphere to Sugar's 28th annual Oktoberfest celebration, the Valle Crucis Middle School band will remind you that you're still in the good Ol' USA. Admission, parking and shuttle service are free. Rain, shine or snow the festival will go on! You'll also find six fast-dry clay tennis courts and an 18-hole executive golf course within the Village of Sugar Mountain. Both are open to the public. For more information please contact the Village of Sugar Mountain at www.seesugar.com. or call 828-898-4521."
Everything is free except for a $15 charge to take the ski lift ride. Free parking and shuttle bus service is also provided. Pets are welcome to attend Oktoberfest. However, they are not allowed on the deck or inside the lodge. They must be on a leash at all times.
Visitors are advised to bring warm clothing as nighttime temperatures can become chilly.
Festival activities run from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m each day.
The resort is located at 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Village of Sugar Mountain, N.C., 28604
It is hardly surprising then that a country like the USA with huge numbers of German immigrants (in fact, German Americans make up the largest ancestry group in the USA) should now offer such a large number of Oktoberfests held in September and October every year
Celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich is a cherished memory for many, but you're mistaken if you think you need to head to Germany to partake in this annual festival. If you look closer to home, you'll find no shortage of Oktoberfests right here in the U.S, so get ready for a weekend of beer, sausage, and potato salad. At all of these fests, you'll find live music, dancing, and plenty of lager, so put on your dirndls and lederhosen and head to some of America's best Oktoberfests.
Here is a selection of some other top Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S. recognized by Top Events USA (topoevents) and FodorsTravel Guide (fodors):
Torrence, Calif., Alpine Village Oktoberfest
weekends – early September to late October
Chosen by USA Today as "one of the best Oktoberfests in the world," as well as being noted as one of the top 20 Oktoberfest Celebrations in the USA, the Alpine Village Oktoberfest is one of the oldest and largest Oktoberfest celebrations in Southern California, and has been a popular event for more than 45 years attracting over 100,000 visitors every year. The wide variety of "Bavarian" entertainments include Oom Pah Pah big bands from Germany, sing-a-longs, a yodeling competition and even fun contests like pretzel-eating and beer stein-holding, as well as an abundance of traditional German food and delicious German beers. Sundays concentrate on family entertainment.
For more information about the Alpine Village Oktoberfest in Torrance, California visit:
http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/oktoberfest
Helen, Ga. Oktoberfest
mid September to late October
Helen, Georgia
One of Georgia's biggest events for more than 40 years, Helen's famous Oktoberfest, one of the main Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S., transforms tranquil Helen – a year-around German motiff town -- into the ultimate north Georgia party place featuring all sorts of fun from authentic German bands and polka performances with dancers in native costume, to traditional Bavarian food and beer.
For more information about Helen's Oktoberfest visit:
www.helenga.org/events/42nd-annual-oktoberfestHofbrauhaus
Las Vegas Hofbrauhaus
mid September to late October
Las Vegas, Nevada
Taking place in an exact replica of Munich's famous Hofbrauhaus complete with a beer hall and beer garden, the Las Vegas Oktoberfest is as authentic and unforgettable as the original complete with nightly live music entertainment every night, appropriate foods such as sausages and pork shanks, and an abundance of German beer brewed according to original recipes handed down by the Duke of Bavaria over 400 years ago and imported directly from a brewery in Munich.
For more information about Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas visit:
www.hofbrauhauslasvegas.com
Missouri Oktoberfest
every weekend in October
Hermann, Missouri
During the first four weekends in October the City of Hermann, Missouri will be observing its annual Oktoberfest that has been voted Missouri's best festival by readers of Rural Missouri Magazine. This well preserved German village, located on the banks of the Missouri River, provides a perfect setting for traditional events to celebrate German heritage and culture. A wide variety of activities take place among the more than 150 historic buildings in the downtown area that includes more than a dozen antique shops, a number of specialty stores, museums, historic sites, art galleries, great restaurants, and quaint B&Bs and inns. There are also seven wineries and plenty of music, special food booths, and crafts demonstrations.
For more information about Oktoberfest in Hermann visit:
http://experiencehermann.com/oktoberfest-schedules/hermann-missouri-oktoberfest-full-schedule
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
mid September to late October
Big Bear Lake, California
One of the top rated Oktoberfests in the USA, and noted here as one of the top 20 Oktoberfest Celebrations in the USA, the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest has been a popular attraction for more than 42 years and features everything to do with German food and beer from appropriate foods including bratwurst, knockwurst and Bavarian dumplings to premium German beers, beer drinking contests and stein-carrying challenges, as well as several concerts, and game booths, log-sawing and ample activities for children such as child oriented contests, bands and dance performances, bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, airbrush tattoos and carnival games.
For more information about the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest visit:
http://bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest/oktoberfest-101
Boston Harpoon Oktoberfest
late September
Boston Brewery – Boston, Massachusetts
One of the most popular Boston/New England fall events for more than 20 years, complete with Oktoberfest beer, traditional bratwursts, chicken dancing for those who just want to watch or join in, a keg bowling game and German chocolate cake-eating contests, Harpoon Oktoberfest offers everything from lederhosen dressed musicians and their traditional Oktoberfest waltzes to free non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers.
For more information about the Harpoon Oktoberfest visit:
www.harpoonbrewery.com/festivals
Leavenworth Oktoberfest
weekends - early to mid October
Leavenworth, Washington
A three-weekend festival held annually in Leavenworth, the charming Washington town modeled after a Bavarian village, the Leavenworth Oktoberfest attracts over 10,000 people and features four venues with concerts of live traditional German music from the USA and Germany, typical Oktoberfest food like bratwurst, cold beer, imported German brews , and Leavenworth's Mayor honoring a Bavarian tradition of "tapping the keg", European shops, wooden carvings, and even an Oktoberfest marathon.
For more information about the Leavenworth Oktoberfest visit:
http://www.leavenworthoktoberfest.com
Stowe Oktoberfest
early October
Stowe, Vermont
In the Stowe Events field under a huge tent transformed into a Bavarian village, Oktoberfest in Vermont celebrates the harvest and fall season with everything from "oompah" bands boosting traditional sing-a-longs and dancing to authentic Bavarian foods and freshly brewed Vermont beers. Other top attractions at this event include a silent auction, the Grand Parade with marching bands, floats and more to open the event, and a wide variety of fun activities for children.
For more information about the Oktoberfest in Stowe visit:
http://www.stoweoktoberfest.com
Bewoirt International Oktoberfest
early October
Newport, Rhode Island
The International Oktoberfest is an ardent tribute to Germany's most famous fall festival and offers three stages of authentic German music, nationally-acclaimed Oktoberfest show bands, dance troupes and yodelers, as well as a Kindergarten with family fun activities. Visitors can enjoy the best of German and domestic Oktoberfest brews in the International Biergarten, and the best of foods with a traditional Bratwurst.
For more information about the International Oktoberfest in Newport visit: http://www.newportwaterfrontevents.com/international-oktoberfest
New Ulm Oktoberfest
early October
New Ulm, Minnesota
Set in the town of New Ulm originally founded by German immigrants, the Oktoberfest there is now recognized as one of the best of the smaller Oktoberfests in the USA. A popular event for over thirty years, the New Ulm Oktoberfest presents two stages of German themed music and entertainment, the ever popular German-American Parade, a host of entertainment at several bars and taverns, craft shows and even a famous and popular glockenspiel with characters emerging every few hours.
For more information about the New Ulm Oktoberfest visit:
http://www.newulmoktoberfest.com
Nashville Oktoberfest
mid October
Historic German Town – Nashville, Tennessee
Attracting thousands of people for more than 32 years, the family oriented event of Oktoberfest in Nashville features everything from 4 stages presenting live German music, authentic German food and beverages, Polka dancing, appropriate arts and crafts including antique booths, as well as street performers and fun events for children.
For more information about Oktoberfest in Nashville visit:
www.nashvilleoktoberfest.com
Phoenix Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake
mid October
Phoenix, Arizona
Offering an unusual blend of Bavarian and Southwest USA cultures, the much loved event for the whole family, Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake, offers an unusual blend of polka, German bratwurst, strudel and beer with salsa and Southwest foods, along with 4 stages of live music, 6 beer gardens offering also wines and spirits, a college garage band competition, John Madden football tournament, lots of video games and arts & crafts for the kids.
For more information about Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake visit :
www.tempeoktoberfest.com
San Francisco Oktoberfest by the Bay
The scenic bay view on San Francisco's Pier 48 pairs perfectly with German-brewed beer and bratwurst at Oktoberfest by the Bay (September 19–21, 2014). Crowds seek out this annual four day festival for its Old Country ambiance, which brings people from all walks of life to toast to the good ol' days. The famed Chico Bavarian Band, a 21-piece traditional Blaskapelle (brass band) from Northern California, ignites the party with tuneful beats and cheery lederhosen. Enjoy the Bavarian dancing and maybe even learn a new step from the Nature Friends Schuhplattler, which presents a dance piece sporadically throughout each day.
Cincinnati Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
The largest Oktoberfest in the U.S., Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (September 19–21, 2014) takes over downtown Cincinnati with over 500,000 attendees annually. Soft pretzels, sauerkraut balls, and potato pancakes stand out as favorites among the staples of bratwurst and German beer. Live music brings the festival to life on many of the seven stages throughout the fest, including the crowd favorite, the world's largest Chicken Dance. Perhaps the main attraction of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati though is its playful Gemütlichkeit (goodwill) Games. Join the cheerful spectators as they root for the Mädchens (traditional German waitresses) who race beer steins, as well as the classic beer barrel roll, where racers roll empty casks towards the finish line.
Chicago St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest
Chicago hosts Oktoberfest in grand style with over 25 organized, individual fests throughout September and October. The St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest (September 26–28, 2014) stands out for its weekend-long celebration of German life in and around the magnificent St. Alphonsus church in Lakeview. Newly added to the festival is their Craft Beer Night, where over 20 local breweries from around the country offer samples and discuss their brewing techniques. $40 gets you admission and a handy pretzel necklace to keep nourished. The "Kinderfest" is also a popular event, with face painting, dance parties, and crafts for the younger German-fare lovers.
LaCrosse Ocktoberfest
With a population just over 50,000, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, pulls out the stops for their annual Oktoberfest (September 25–28, 2014). With a variety of local food trucks gathered to serve more than just traditional wurst, attendees indulge in Midwestern delicacies, such as cheese curds, deep fried cookie dough, and deep fried pickles. Stop by the Lederhosen Luncheon for a traditional German buffet of brats, potato salad, and German chocolate cake. And don't miss the annual opening pageant, the Edelweiss Parade, where the Oktoberfest LaCrosse Royal Family greets the onlookers and local marching bands show their pride.
Denver Oktoberfest
Over 350,000 people gather annually at Oktoberfest Denver (September 19–21 & 26–28, 2014) to celebrate old Bavaria with a host of unique events and activities that sets Denver apart from the rest. Marvel at the perseverance and sheer arm strength of the men and women who compete annually in the Stein Hoisting Competition. The contest challenges contestants to keep an ale-filled 1.5 liter Stein at shoulder height for as long as possible. The fest also hosts the Keg Bowling National Championships, in which 50 liter empty kegs are hurled at kegs stacked in a pyramid. Add to that the Long Dog (think Wiener dog) Derby and a winning list of local and national music talent, Oktoberfest Denver is a super-charged showcase of all things German.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Escape for the weekend to Big Bear Lake's multi-faceted, sprawling Oktoberfest (weekends from September 13–October 25, 2014). Big Bear Lake's fest sets impressive standards with their three unique biergartens: Shock Top Sports Garten, Spaten Bier Garten, and the Warsteiner Bier Garten. Each gardenserves a host of its namesake's brew along with new takes on classic German recipes, such as Schweine Braten (pork roast), Bavarian Dumplings, and Knockwurst. Log sawing competitions, clogging, and polka dances are staples of this Southern California fest. Seek out the fresh air at the Budenstrasse (avenue of the booths) where dozens of stalls sell handmade crafts as well as freshly made sweets.
San Antonio Wurstfest
Forty minutes outside of San Antonio, Texas, Wurstfest (November 7–16, 2014) is the annual 10-day Bavarian festival. This family friendly fest fuses the best of German culture with a taste of Texas. Colorful carnival rides dot the festival alongside tents of beer, food, and live music. The fest hosts a popular polka competition along with a more general dance competition, for the less polka inclined. The whole town of New Braunfels transforms during Wurstfest, including the local theater troupe, Circle Arts Theatre, which stages a comedy around wurst, a Wurstfest Regata on Canyon Lake, and Kunsthalle, a local arts & crafts market that sets up right beside Wurstfest.
Tulsa Linde Oktoberfest
Located in the heart of town, Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa (October 16–19, 2014) brings out the best in beer, food, and entertainment each October. The fest attracts upwards of 60,000 people, all seeking the authentic German experience. With a banner showcase of over 60 varieties of beer from around the world, there is something on tap for every taste. Carnival games and rides add to the thrill of the fest for families, while beer pong tournaments entertain the adults. Look out for the beer keg and wiener dog races, as contestants vie to be best in the fest. With schnitzel, smoked turkey legs, and Bavarian cheesecake as just some of the fest staples, no one goes home hungry.
Leavenworth Oktoberfest
Nestled around the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lies the small, charming town of Leavenworth, Washington, about 2 hours east of Seattle. Quoted as "the next best thing to being in Munich," the Leavenworth Oktoberfest (weekends from October 3–18, 2014) encompasses a large scope of German fare. With continuous live music, including bands brought in from Germany, the festive ambiance is alive with an upbeat rhythm. Each Saturday, there's a parade through the town, which concludes with Leavenworth's mayor hosting a Keg Tapping Ceremony–a celebration that kicks off the weekend of cheers and toasts.
The web site Oktoberfest has a complete list of Octoberfests throughout the country. Below is a state-by-state directory of Oktoberfests 2018.For more information visit the Oktoberfest web site at https://www.funtober.com/oktoberfest/us/
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