Building a Better Boyertown is hosting its 15th annual Oktoberfest in the downtown Boyertown parking lot Sept. 23-24, preceded by a pre-taste on Sept. 22.
Held Friday, September 23rd, 6-10pm and Saturday, September 24th, 11am-10pm, the family-friendly, German, fall-themed event features beer, food, craft vendors, music and entertainment. The rain date is set for September 25.
“Oktoberfest is so much more than beer! It features live entertainment, a variety of food and specialty vendors, along with fun activities for kids and adults,” said BaBB Event Coordinator Amanda Machik and Senior Director Ellen Martignetti.
Kids can enjoy bounce houses, face painting and gem mining. Adults can try ax throwing, tumblers and bowling.
Entertainment this weekend will be provided by 5th Street Remnants, Auerhahn Schuhplatter Verein German Dancers, German Alumni Band, Happy Dutchman German Band and Yodeling Dave Kline & Mountain Folk Oktoberfest Band.
“We hope this event will provide the community and its visitors with a sense of community, a taste of Germany and a weekend everyone can enjoy,” said Machik and Martignetti.
Growing in popularity, this event attracts between 5,000 and 7,000 attendees to Boyertown each year.
“Every year Oktoberfest gets bigger and better, this year with nine beers on tap and the downtown car park will be full of things to see and do,” they said.
Attendance at Oktoberfest is free. Some activities may incur a fee. Beer tent wristbands can be purchased for $5. Due to the compact nature of the event, only service dogs are allowed.
Tasting preview
Once again, Oktoberfest kicks off with a preview on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brakeman’s Café at 56 S. Washington St., Boyertown.
Organizers said the event’s debut last year was a huge success. This year the pre-tasting pairings will be expanded and offer a couple of new ones.
“We’re excited to once again partner with some great local breweries,” organizers said.
Boyertown’s Oktoberfest kicks off with a pre-taste at Brakeman’s Café on September 22nd. (Photo submitted)
Attendees will sample five beers and one hard cider that will be available for purchase at the weekend’s Oktoberfest event. Each beer will be paired with a German-themed aperitif. Additionally, guests can add a dinner option of grilled bratwurst on a roll with sauerkraut and mustard served with German potato salad. Tasting tickets are $50 and dinner tickets are $18. Tickets are limited. The deadline to purchase tasting tickets is September 14.
BaBB would like to thank the following Gold Level Sponsors for their support: Fred Beans of Boyertown and CARSTAR Fred Beans Boyertown, Friendship Hook and Ladder, Gabelsville Athletic Association, Independent Order of Oddfellows – Boyertown Lodge 708, Maggpie Rentals, Martignetti Construction Company, Inc . ., and RJ Electric, Inc.
Fundraising supports BaBB
“Oktoberfest is the premiere fundraising event for building a better Boyertown,” said Machik and Martignetti.
The mission of Building a Better Boyertown is to preserve Boyertown’s artistic, historical and agricultural heritage by providing the Boyertown community with physical improvements, unique opportunities and social interaction for businesses, residents and visitors alike.
“Oktoberfest helps provide funds for BaBB to continue this mission for the community,” they said.
For more information on Oktoberfest, including the full weekend schedule and advance tasting tickets, visit www.boyertownpa.org.
A non-profit organization, Building a Better Boyertown aims to preserve Boyertown’s artistic, historical and agricultural heritage by providing the Boyertown community with physical improvements, unique opportunities and social interactions for businesses, residents and visitors alike. For more information about BaBB, call 610-369-3054 or visit www.boyertownpa.org.
