Oktoberfest! Time to get out your best dirndl and lederhosen, and maybe that old green felt Tyrolean hat. Whatever you decide to wear, just grab your favorite beer stein and put it to use for the one of the best attractions in Bend!
A Little History with Your Beer
Most people agree that the first Oktoberfest was held in Munich in 1810. The huge festival, complete with horse races, took place outside the city gates to honor the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig). And the celebration continues today, with the world’s largest Volksfest (beer festival and traveling fair) still held in Munich every year.
In Bend, Oktoberfest is hosted annually by the Downtown Bend Business Association, a nonprofit organization. It’s the DBBA’s biggest fundraiser and all of the profits are put back into the beautification of downtown Bend. This is the organization responsible for those lovely flower baskets you’ve admired around town, seasonal decorations and generally keeping downtown clean and beautiful.
Time to Celebrate!
Of course, there’s lots of beer at Oktoberfest. And even if you aren’t a big beer drinker, there are plenty of things to do and watch. At the end of September, downtown Bend turns into a family-friendly Bavarian festival, and participating shops offer discounts for Oktoberfest Passport holders. Enjoy specials from Anchors & Ink Tattoos, Bend Electric Bikes, Bronwen Handcrafted Jewelry, Dudley’s Bookshop Café, Smith Rock Records, and more. Even your furry four-legged friends can enjoy specials at the Bendy Dog. And of course, every bar, restaurant, and brewpub will be participating and showing off their specialty craft brews and Bavarian food. All you have to do is purchase a Bend Oktoberfest Passport to start enjoying the fun.
Besides lots of locally crafted beer, there are vendors and booths from local shops, games for kids of all ages, Bavarian wines and food, traditional Bavarian music and dancing, and fun events like the Yodeling contest and the Bendhamershlagen (a race to see who can hammer a nail the fastest). And there’s a wiener dog race!
Bend Oktoberfest
Of course, we don’t know how things will be going and it’s possible that the festivities may be abbreviated or canceled yet again. Even if that happens, local breweries and other establishments will be having their own Oktoberfest celebrations. And if those fall through, you can always have a great Oktoberfest in your lovely Bend vacation rental, celebrating on your own with giant soft pretzels covered in mustard, big ole bratwurst, and delicious craft brews, all while enjoying the lovely mountain scenery from your deck. Need help with your Oktoberfest festivities or any attractions in Bend? Just give us a call!
