I’d be interested to see how many weekend festivals per year are held in Bend, because it feels like there’s always SOMETHING closing a street in this town. Seems like we have a higher than usual concentration of beer-centric events than anywhere. I’m not complaining, though. Who’s excited for Oktoberfest?

For the 6th year, the Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA) will hold the Bend Oktoberfest to raise funds for Downtown Bend beautification projects. The community event is FREE to attend & will be held in Downtown Bend on Friday, September 24th from 5-10pm and Saturday, September 25th from noon-10pm on Minnesota Avenue.

Friday evening activities will be open to attendees 21 and over and will include traditional Bavarian music, beer, food and games.

Saturday will be the Family Fest from noon-6pm and is open to everyone. Activities will include a half dozen local businesses and nonprofits providing kid activities.  Balloon twisting, face painting, and the legendary Wiener Dog races will be held throughout the afternoon.

Saturday evening will include live music, Yodeling Contests and the hammerschlagen competition (race to hammer a nail into a log).

Brews will be provided by: 10 Barrel, Bend Brewing Company, Boneyard, Cascade Lakes Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, McMenamin’s, Silver Moon and Three Creeks.

Sample great food from downtown restaurants including: 900 Wall, Astro Lounge, Blacksmith, Bourbon Street, Decoy, Deschutes Brew Pub, Giuseppe’s, High Tides, Joolz, Tart, Typhoon! and the Velvet Lounge

Oktoberfest is produced by the DBBA, a nonprofit working to maintain and improve the economic vitality of Downtown Bend. The DBBA works to keep downtown beautiful and is responsible for the flowers, banners, sidewalk cleaning and more.

Come Downtown to join us for this awesome event!

The popular Weiner Dog races are back. I don’t remember yodeling and hammerschlagen from years past… but then again the best part of Oktoberfest is that it’s always new since you can’t remember what you did that night. Right?! 😉

See ya there?