Home History MKT Depot Location Photo Album OktoberFest 2008 Newsletters & More Feedback Links

October 10-11, 2008

Lancaster's 3rd annual OktoberFest promises to bigger and better than ever!  Once again, we'll have a Preview Party on Friday night, October 10th, with live entertainment, a full German meal, and a selection of German beer, custom-made wine, and root beer on tap.  Then on Saturday, October 11, we'll offer a full day of activities, including food and beverages available a la carte, live music, performances by a Bavarian dance club, and amusement rides for all ages.  Both days, a select group of artists will be on-hand to show and sell their art, and famed potter Randy Brodnax will bring both a pottery wheel and a built-on-site kiln for demonstrations.

In addition to the activities at the Historic MKT Depot and Rose Garden, this year's OktoberFest will include vendors and other activities on the Historic Town Square.  More information will be posted soon, so please bookmark this page and check back often.  In the meantime, enjoy looking at photos from OktoberFest 2007 and OktoberFest 2006.

 

News from the OktoberFest Committee  - Click on the link to see the latest happenings.  Once you see how much fun our committee is having, you may decide it's worth volunteering!

We will need additional volunteers on the week-end of the event, so even if you don't have time to come to committee meetings, please contact us if you're available to work on Friday or Saturday.  Thanks!

Vendor Opportunities - Click on the link for more information, including a link to the application.


Sponsorship Opportunities
- Click on the link to learn about the great benefits you'll receive as an OktoberFest sponsor.  Thanks to these businesses and individuals who have already signed up as sponsors:
  
 


Lancaster Convention & Visitors Bureau

      
 Ten Mile Software

www.TenMileSoftware.com

Software for your home or business, including OutReach, PresbyCal, Contacts Plus, and more!
 

 

 
Cyber Wings, Inc.

www.CyberWingsInc.com

Digital Photography and Graphics Solution Provider

     

    Back to Top of Page

 

Preview Party - Friday, October 10th - 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Ticket price includes a full meal plus three coupons for the beverages of your choice.  You'll get to take part in the Opening Ceremonies, which will include a procession through the Rose Garden, followed by the tapping of the first keg.  

Traditional German food will include:

bullet

Bratwurst from Kuby's Sausage House in Dallas.  We boil our brats in beer first, then lightly roast them on the outdoor grill on-site Friday night.  Yummm!!!

bullet

German Potato Salad made fresh by Kale's Kitchen on Lancaster's Historic Town Square

bullet

Red cabbage, straight from German Deli

bullet

Sauerkraut, cooked in white wine

bullet

Apple strudel, home-made by the ladies of the Altar Society at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

  

German Beers will include:

bullet

To be determined by taste tests!  Click here to see what we served last year.

Wines will include:

bullet

Müller-Thurgau

bullet

Katy Krush-Green Apple Riesling

bullet

Katy Kiss, a white zinfandel kissed with strawberries

For those preferring a non-alcoholic beverage, we will also be serving Thomas Kemper Root Beer on tap.  This tasty treat was first brewed as an alternative to beer at an Oktoberfest event on Bainbridge Island, Washington, so it's sure to be the perfect complement for our food.

    Back to Top of Page

Public Celebration - Saturday, October 11th - 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM

We'll offer brats on a stick, brats on a bun, hot dogs for the kids, fresh hot pretzels, and apple strudel à la carte, plus, other vendors will be on-hand with a variety of tasty food offerings.

During daylight hours, we'll offer a wealth of activities just for kids, including:

bulletAmusement Rides
bulletFace-Painting
bulletLebkuchen Decorating - This German tradition gives children of all ages the opportunity to decorate a gingerbread cookie.
bulletWeiner Dog Contest - Bring your dachshund on a leash and convince the judges that yours is the cutest, smartest, most amazing dog ever.

Of special interest for the adults:

bulletFamed potter and clay sculptor Randy Brodnax will be on-hand with his pottery wheel and a kiln built on-site.
bulletWe'll have a Beer Stein Contest.  Bring your favorite stein and be prepared to tell us how it came to be in your possession.  Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories at the judges' discretion.
bulletLive music.
bulletEnjoy the Chicken Dance every hour!  Just in case you're not familiar with this crowd favorite, click here to listen.
bulletArts & Crafts Vendors will be offering their wares on the Historic Town Square.  Might be time to start your holiday shopping!

  Back to Top of Page

 

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities are available at levels to suit every budget, starting at just $10.  A downloadable document with complete details will be posted soon.  As an OktoberFest sponsor at levels starting at $250, you will receive local and regional advertising and exposure, plus you will be helping to preserve an important piece of Lancaster's history.  Thanks to the Visitors Bureau of the City of Lancaster, we have a budget that will allow us to advertise in several print, internet, and e-mail media outlets.

Proceeds raised at OktoberFest will be used for the ongoing maintenance of the historic MKT Depot and adjacent Rose Garden.  We welcome both corporate and individual sponsors.  If you're an individual with no business to promote, please remember that your sponsorship may qualify as a tax-deductible donation.

Tickets for Friday night's Preview Party will be available soon, and will be in limited supply.

For sponsorship information or to purchase your tickets, contact OktoberFest Co-Chair Lynnette Taff at 214-616-6961, or send e-mail to 

 

Vendor Opportunities

We are accepting applications from vendors to join us at OktoberFest on Saturday, October 11.  Spaces are 10' x 10', and you will need to bring your own pop-up canopy.  Limited Electricity will be available at an additional charge.  An application will be available for download soon, with a list of all rules and restrictions.

 

News from the OktoberFest Committee

Next OktoberFest Committee Meeting - To Be Scheduled

    Back to Top of Page

 

Home ] History ] MKT Depot ] Location ] Photo Album ] [ OktoberFest 2008 ] Newsletters & More ] Feedback ] Links ]
Search Our Site

If you experience any difficulties viewing or navigating this site, please contact our webmaster at .
Copyright © 2004, 2006 Lancaster Historical Society
Last modified: 04/14/2008