Time to dig out your dirndls and lace up your lederhosen – Schmidt’s Columbus Oktoberfest is back at the Ohio Expo Center from Sept. 11-13, bringing three days of live music, dancing, food and fun.
This will mark the city’s 60th year of the highly praised German folk festival, so if you’ve never attended the celebration once named a top 10 Oktoberfest in the nation by USA TODAY, this is the year to do it. Festivities will begin with the official kick-off party hosted by Hofbräuhaus Columbus from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 10 at 800 Goodale Blvd.
Let the games begin
The Gemütlichkeit Games at the ODNR Amphitheater are a festival favorite that have drawn a sea of spectators each year since debuting in 2021. The competitive strength events on Sept. 12 include the keg toss, the Steinheben
(Bavarian stone lift) and Steinstossen (stone throw).
If you’re looking for something a little less physically demanding, additional contests will include cream-puff eating, yodeling and the beer-stein-holding competition known as masskrugstemmen.
Get a taste of Germany
What would Columbus Oktoberfest be without Schmidt's Restaurant und Sausage Haus' Bahama Mamas, bratwurst and jumbo cream puffs? Festival favorites like rotisserie chicken, pretzels and sauerkraut balls will also be available, along with Reuben on a stick, chicken tenders and Pommes frites.
Events fill the calendar at Oktoberfest
The annual Meiler Vier Run/Walk presented by EMI will take place at 6:15 p.m. Sept. 11. Attendees can also try their hands at ax-throwing or register for the Paint and Sip scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 12 and 13.
A big-screen setup will also ensure no one misses a minute of Ohio State Buckeyes football or NFL action over the weekend. Plus, kids can enjoy bounce rides, crafts and face-painting at the Kinderplatz.
The festival’s marktplatz pavilion will also host more than 80 arts, crafts and commercial vendors offering an eclectic assortment of local and international goods.
More than 15 bands are set to perform live on the festival’s three stages throughout the weekend. If you're looking to hit the dance floor, instruction will be available for aspiring polka dancers over the weekend, and line-dancing lessons are scheduled for the evening of Sept. 11, according to a press release for the event.
What’s new at Oktoberfest this year?
One of the biggest additions to Columbus Oktoberfest will be a brand-new cocktail lounge. Located in the Hofbräuhaus Prost Hall, the lounge will serve signature drinks combining Middle West Spirits with Schmidt’s iconic sodas. Options include OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka paired with Schmidt’s Cream Puff Soda, and Middle West's Straight Bourbon paired with Schmidt’s new Root Beer.
Oktoberfest has something for everyone
After an impressive turnout of more than 30,000 patrons in recent years, Columbus Oktoberfest is likely to draw a similarly sized crowd this year – and for good reason, according to Carla Epler, Columbus Oktoberfest’s executive director and COO of Schmidt's.
“You know how they say you can't be everything to everyone?" asked Epler. "I think Columbus Oktoberfest probably comes closest to being able to do that. Whether you're 2 or 92, there is something here that can draw you in and you can participate in.”
Columbus Oktoberfest will take place rain or shine from 5 p.m. to midnight Sept. 11, noon to midnight Sept. 12 and noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair Grounds, 717 E. 17th Ave. Admission is free with a parking fee of $15.
Reporter Kelly Tucker can be reached at ktucker@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Oktoberfest celebrates 60 years of German tradition
