BY JOHN D. GONZALEZ
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - It's back! Oktoberfest! The most wonderful time of the year for those who love a great German beer, schnitzel and maybe a good old fashion stein-hoisting contest!
In Michigan, we love to celebrate with the best of them. And this weekend there are no shortage of Oktoberfest parties across the state.
One of the biggest is this weekend's party at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids where our buddy Dave Ringler, the Director of Happiness at Cedar Spring Brewery and the Kusterer Brauhaus, will be wearing his lederhosen and leading the cheers!
The annual festival takes him back "to a little taste of the culture I fell in love with while living abroad," he said in an interview with "Behind the Mitten."
"The feeling of friendship and community were virtues that I was eager to bring back to West Michigan when we started our German-themed breweries," he added.
Why does he get so excited for Oktoberfest?
Ringler explained:
"We've always celebrated the 'harvest' and given thanks for the bounty of summer, but also, much like St. Patrick's Day in the spring, Oktoberfest also marks the changing of the seasons and gives us all an opportunity to celebrate culture as part of our American melting pot, where we're all a little bit 'German' for a day or weekend. "
Plus, you can't beat great music, food and beer!
GRAND RAPIDS
Celebrate over two days: 3-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, and from Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. For a list of beer, food, music and more go to oktoberfestgr.com. Special events include a Dachshund Race at 1 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. To skip the lines, order drink tickets in advance. They include your beer tent arm band and three drink tickets. Order HERE.
LANSING
Brewtoberfest at Lansing Breweing Co. is from 3-7 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 30). Adission is $10.
Test your strength in our STEIN HOLDING COMPETITION
Put your skills to the test during KEG bowling
Show off your accuracy in boot pong (Beer pong with boot glasses)
Indulge in pints of our LBC Oktoberfest
Dance the night away with Da Frankenmuda Fratz'n authentic German dancers
Check out LBC's Facebook page for more info.
Also, check out Oktoberfest at Zoobie’s in Old Town Lansing, one of our favorite Michigan bars! They say: "Get your schnitzengruben on, ya’ll!" The Black Bar Band performs. The party begins at 5 p.m. More info on their Facebook page.
SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN
Our friends at the Round Barn Brewery & Public House in Baroda have their annual Oktoberfest event on Friday, Sept. 29. They will have live music, an Oktoberfest menu and so much more. You can event take home your very own 25oz Stein with the purchase of a VIP ticket. Grab your tickets today at https://bit.ly/3DRcrYy. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. More info on their Facebook page.
DETROIT
Any BBQ lovers out there! I know, I know, BBQ is not a staple at ANY Oktoberfest festival. BUT....if you're at Batch Brewing Co. in Detroit, well, it DOES! This weekend they're celebrating their second annual Smoketoberfest. The focus is on house-smoked BBQ paired with super fresh Oktoberfest beers. "Plus some dank IPA options and a smoked Rauchbier," they say on their Facebook event page. This year they are incorporating live music on both Friday and Saturday. Festivities begin at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday.
The music lineup:
Friday-Sept. 29 Mega Weedge | 6:30pm-8:00pm Leaving Lifted | 8:30pm-10:30pm
Saturday-Sept. 30 The Professor | 5pm-8pm Pajamas | 8:30pm-10:30pm
What else is going on this weekend? I'm sure I just scratched the surface. As always, feel free to drop us a line about what you're doing or about upcoming events. Email us at behindthemitten@gmail.com.
Have a great weekend, friends!
Comentários