These pretzels making you thirsty? You want German bier? Oktoberfest has both — there will be more than nine fest tents and biergartens serving more than 100 different beers. Plus, you can catch a gaggle of dachshunds dressed as hot dogs participating in the Running of Weiners to kick things off at 11 a.m. Friday.
What else? Expect a bratwurst-eating competition (featuring world renowned Joey Chestnut), the “World’s Largest Chicken Dance” (led by Thane Maynard of the Cincinnati Zoo) and bounds of German music and grub, like sauerkraut, cream puffs, goetta and bier cheese.
Here’s the full event schedule as per Oktoberfest:
“The Running of the Wieners — 11 a.m. Friday, September 21 // Freedom Way between Walnut & Rosa Parks: Before the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati festivities begin, one dachshund will be named, “King or Queen of the Wiener Dogs!”
Gemuetlichkeit Games — Noon Friday, September 21 // Freedom Way between Walnut & Rosa Parks : On Friday, watch the Gemuetlichkeit (goodwill) Games, including the Beer Stein Race and Beer Barrel Roll.
Opening Ceremonies — 11:30 a.m. Saturday, September 22 // Sam Adams Main Stage at Second and Elm streets : Join Oktoberfest goers on Saturday for the official opening ceremonies and keg tapping. Sam Adams founder Jim Koch will be tapping the keg!
World’s Largest Chicken Dance — Noon Sunday, September 23 // Sam Adams Main Stage at Second and Elm streets: One of the favorite events at Oktoberfest is the World’s Largest Chicken dance. One of the ways this celebration distinguishes itself from the others is the chicken dance — thousands of dancers have congregated every year since 1994 when Zinzinnatians set the record for the largest Chicken Dance in the world. The chicken dance will be led by Grand Marshal Thane Maynard, Director of the Cincinnati Zoo.
World Brat Eating Championship— 2 p.m. Sunday, September 23 // Braxton Fass Bar Stage at Third and Walnut streets: World champion eater, Joey Chestnut, defends his crown as these weapons of mass digestion show Zinzinnati the true meaning of intestinal fortitude!
You don’t even have to be German to celebrate, but lederhosen is always encouraged.
5-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets, Downtown. Find a full list of entertainment, food, drink and more at oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.
With nine fest tents and bier gartens, you’ll find more than 100 different beers at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. Behold, the 2018 beer list! pic.twitter.com/bfANpOtvSY
— Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (@OktoberfestZinz) September 18, 2018
This article appears in Sep 19-26, 2018.
