The event, now in its second year, will bring a bit of Bavaria (and a lot of brats and beer) to downtown Plant City.
Brush up on your German and grab your lederhosen on Sat., Sept. 23 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. to partake in Plant City’s Second Annual Oktoberfest, which will transform downtown’s quaint streets into a “Gesellschaft” complete with live music, dancing, food, beer, wine, axe throwing, carnival games and merchandise vendors.
While speaking German isn’t required, knowing a little lingo is helpful, including the word“lebensmittelgarten”, or food garden, being sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. For $15 (cash and cards accepted), event goers can dine on a bratwurst dinner, including a beer-boiled bratwurst on a bun with red cabbage, grilled onions and sauerkraut and German potato salad.
The traditional food, as well as the smell of grilled onions wafting through the air, is sure to put people in the Oktoberfest spirit and it tastes delicious too. “Knights are always good cooks,” said Mark Sagen, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph Council.
Five food trucks will also be on-hand selling delicacies.
Another helpful word is “biergartens”, two outdoor areas where four German beers and two wines (Prosecco and sangria) will be sold in abundance. Attendees can purchase a 32-ounce boot stein filled with German beer for $25 and it can be refilled for $10.
The event, sponsored by Taylor’s Forklift and Parkesdale Farms, will offer plenty of activities in the Main Street Kids Zone to keep children entertained.
Big kids (a.k.a. grown-ups) can flex their muscles in the “steinholding,” a traditional Bavarian strength contest where competitors hold a one-liter full beer stein out in front of their bodies with a straight arm, parallel to the ground. The cost to enter is $10. The grand prize winner walks away with a brand new pellet grill.
Cirque dul Soliel acrobatic shows will entertain the crowd with showtimes at 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Bavarian folk dancers will perform every 15 minutes. Listen to the sounds of Ida Mann & Die Haus Band. Dress up in your best Oktoberfest attire for a chance to win a prize.
Plant City Main Street Director Dawn Hyatt said the event, which in terms of vendors is twice as large as last year’s event, is shaping up to be a huge success. “We’ve gone from 20 vendors to more than 40 vendors,” she said. “Also take the opportunity to get to know your local merchants who are staying open late that night to meet your shopping needs.”
Entrance to Oktoberfest is free but proceeds from the event will benefit Plant City Main Street. “Please come out and enjoy the food, fun and festivities while helping Plant City Main Street continue their mission of our downtown revitalization,” said Hyatt.
For more information about Oktoberfest visit plantcitymainstreet.org or visit its Plant City Main Street Facebook page.
