By Allison Brown
GetOut staff writer
It’s time to put on the tights, tie the dirndl and pull back a pint because Oktoberfest season is just around the corner.
According to census data, more than 40 million Americans claim German ancestry, which is about 16% of the US population. And while there are no hard statistics on the matter, it’s a safe bet that at least a few million Americans also love a good beer. Maybe that’s why the United States is the fourth country with the most Oktoberfest celebrations, with Germany obviously taking first place.
Here are some of the Oktoberfest events taking place across the state this year.
Chandler Center
Oktoberfest | October 1
For the first time, Pedal Haus Brewery and SanTan Brewing Company are teaming up to host an epic Oktoberfest event in downtown Chandler on Saturday, October 1st. Julian Wright, CEO and founder of Pedal Haus Brewery, said the two Downtown Chandler businesses decided to collaborate rather than compete.
The Downtown Chandler Oktoberfest will feature beer and food from SanTan and Pedal Haus breweries, plus canned craft cocktails. Breweries will serve a variety of beers, including German-style Oktoberfest. German cuisine will be served, including Bavarian-style soft and brat pretzels.
In addition to the food and drinks, there will be a variety of classic Oktoberfest games and contests, including glass holding contests, sausage tossing, and sausage eating contests. And, in keeping with the theme, a full lineup of live music is scheduled, including a German polka band.
“We are thrilled to join forces with our friends at SanTan to put on one of the best Oktoberfest events in the Valley this year,” said Wright. “I’ll be hosting bra and sausage eating competitions, so grab your friends and tights, this is going to be a fun event.”
Dr. AJ Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-656-1639, pedalhausbrewery.com, 3-11 p.m., $15-$25
Litchfield Park Oktoberfest at The Wigwam | October 1
In partnership with the city of Litchfield Park, The Wigwam celebrates Oktoberfest with live music, lawn games, German-inspired cuisine and, of course, beer. Those who book tickets through Eventbrite will receive a commemorative Oktoberfest glass. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. This event is for over 21s.
The Wigwam Front Lawn, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, 866-976-6894, wigwamarizona.com/events, 6-9 p.m., TBA
Flagstaff Oktoberfest | October 1
Flagstaff will host its 13th annual Oktoberfest this year, with drinks, food, live music, contests and even bounce houses for the kids. Beer will be plentiful, as will other typical Oktoberfest foods like pretzels and bratwurst.
The beer may take center stage, but Jennifer Grogan, event producer, said the contests are “a lot of fun,” which is why a side stage has been created for five events throughout the day.
The first is the wiener man race, where people don hot dog costumes and race to navigate an obstacle course. New this year is the chicken dance competition. There’s also a brat-eating contest, which Grogan said is both a “fan favorite and absolutely disgusting.” Then there is the traditional Bavarian stein competition for men and women, separately. In this competition, participants hold a liter of beer in a sturdy glass with their arms in front of them.
The last competition of the day is the frozen shirt competition. Grogan said the shirts are folded, tied and frozen, and teams of two compete to try to be the first to untie the shirt and get on a body. He adds that since this is the last competition of the day, the contestants are usually “feeling the alcohol… so it’s pretty fun.”
Wheeler Park, 212 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, 928-606-7600, flagstaffoktoberfest.com, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., $5-7, children 12 and under free
Murphy’s House | All of October
Haus Murphy is a German restaurant that serves beer, brats, pretzels and polka all year round. But during October, it increases.
The restaurant has been serving German cuisine for 26 years, so while Oktoberfest fans of soft pretzels and bratwursts are available, there’s a full menu of authentic German cuisine to try.
There are limited places available and places tend to fill up quickly, so advance booking is recommended.
Haus Murphy’s, 5739 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-939-2480, hausmurphys.com, 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays throughout October
Four Peaks Oktoberfest | October 7-9
Tempe’s Four Peaks Oktoberfest is the largest in the state, drawing 75,000 to 100,000 people over the three-day period.
Food is provided by Denmark Foods, and the featured menu item is a Kilt Lifter Brat in collaboration with Four Peaks. As a novelty this year, there will also be vegetarian empanadas.
The festival has a carnival with between 15 and 20 attractions and games. Live music will be played every night, including a performance by a German polka band. There will also be classic Oktoberfest competitions, including stein holding, brat eating, a wiener dog race and a wiener dog fashion show, featuring a costumed dog and owner.
Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, 60-.625-3493, fourpeaksoktoberfest.com, various times Oct. 7-9, $20, free Sunday
Gilbert Oktoberfest | October 15
In its third year, the Gilbert Oktoberfest is ramping things up “100 percent,” according to event director Mike O’Donnell. He said there will be more beer, more food and more entertainment.
The event is partnering with East Valley breweries, who will be creating something completely new.
“They’re creating a collaborative beer for this event, where each of the brewmasters has been sitting together and they all have their own recipe,” O’Donnell said. “We will have it available at all outlets at the event and it will only be available there at the event.”
The event also features the self-proclaimed “Queen of Oktoberfest” and her band “The Oktoburlesques.” They perform traditional polka mixed with current hits.
In true Oktoberfest spirit, there will also be a brat eating contest and a glass holding contest. There is also a children’s area and children can enter for free.
Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, gilbertoktoberfest.com, 2 to 9 p.m., admission price TBD.
