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It was King Maximillian I that called for a two-day festival centuries ago when his son, Prince Ludwig, married Princess Therese on Oct. 12, 1810, in Munich, Germany. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the event with a festival, horse races and more in what was known as the birth of “Oktoberfest.”
Though it took nearly 150 more years for it to become the “world’s largest folk festival,” Oktoberfests were then celebrated in different countries and featured German beer, food and festivities.
The City of Beaumont created their own version of Oktoberfest seven years ago and will expand it to include more attractions on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 3-7 p.m. at Rogers Park (1455 Dowlen Road).
Admission to the event is free and open to the public. Attendees are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, wagons and strollers.
Festival goers can enjoy a large beer garden that will feature a selection of craft and German style beers such as Karbach Oktoberfest, Buckstin Brewing Company Bucktoberfest, Saint Arnold Oktoberfest, Galveston Island Oktoberfest and Yuengling Oktoberfest.
Come hungry to Oktoberfest. Food vendors slated to be onsite severing delicious selections are 1701 Barbecue, KO Korean Grill, Rudy’s Kabobs, The Bread Bus, Old West Smoke Company, Broke Boyz, The Dudes Food and Cracklin Kings.
New this year is “Kid-toberfest.” Located near the playground, the area will be filled with entertainment including face painting, activities from the Beaumont Children’s Museum, Boy Scouts of America Troop 221, Beaumont Public Library, plus fun photo opportunities with characters of Jack and Jill Storybook Co., Sonny the Birdman and his exotic birds, live painting by local artist Ines Alvidres as well as sweet treats from Mabel’s, Kona Ice, Laura & Abe’s Ice Cream and Stuart’s Lemonade.
If that isn’t enough, an impressive musical lineup is slated to include Nashville-based Paul Childers, the Golden Triangle Brass Quintet, local favorites Curse and the Cure, and Running on Credit. JAM DJ Productions will keep the energy up throughout the event, playing all your favorite tunes.
Blending pop, R&B, and soul, Childers is leading a new breed of singer/songwriters and guitarists. Hailing from Nashville, he finds a way to blur the lines cast between Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix styles of guitar playing, a Motown rhythm section, and pop vocal melodies.
The City of Beaumont also extends its gratitude to ExxonMobil for their generous support as the event’s signature sponsor along with sponsors Del Papa Distributing, SafeMove Moving Company, Eastex Urgent Care, DuGood Credit Union, and Giglio Distributing for their continued commitment to the community.