Main Street Kent will be having its German-inspired festival, where attendees can look forward to events such as the steinholding competition, live entertainment from local bands, a plethora of good bites to eat from local vendors and more, Oct. 4 from 12 to 8 p.m.
Oktoberfest is an annual event free for anybody interested in attending.
The executive director for Main Street Kent, Heather Malarcik, shared additional input on the event.
“It has become incredibly popular,” she said.
The German-inspired event originated in Munich, Germany, in 1810 as a form of celebration of their then-prince and princess. At that time, the celebration was deemed a public party for the German people and quickly became popular to the point it became an annual tradition.
Today, Oktoberfest has become a global event where people from all over the world blend local traditions with German culture as a way to experience the cultural event.
Kent’s rendition of the event will be held on Franklin Ave. and will consist of entertainment for all of the attendees.
The steinholding competition is one of the main events attendees can participate in, giving you something to mark your calendars for. After paying a $15 fee, 10 participants, split by men and women, are challenged to a drinking competition where participants will stand with a liter of beer in front of them to see how long they can drink for.
More information about registration for the competition that is 21-plus can be found on Main Street Kent’s website.
The German Family Society Dancers will also hit the streets from 1-3 p.m. to perform polka dance for attendees.
Looking for a drink to grab at Oktoberfest? The drinks available will include Spaten Oktoberfest, Rhinegeist Franz, Elysian Night Owl, Rhinegeist Cherry Bubbles, Wolf Ridge Fest Bier, Sibling Bashing Pumpkin, Shock Top Pretzel, Carbliss Cranberry, Bell Tower Brewing Star of the West Festbier and North Water Kent Fest Festbier.
Drinks won’t be the only thing available for those who attend; Erie Street Kitchen will be providing a German-inspired menu. The menu will include house-made beer cheese soup, pretzel bites, pork bratwurst sandwiches, beer-braised beef hot dogs, braised red cabbage, German potato salad, a basket of fries and desserts.
Attendees can also look forward to the other local businesses that will be in attendance vending for the event, such as Daisy Pops, Over Easy at the Depot, The Pierogi Lady and more.
After the main events, attendees can stay for additional entertainment from live bands performing from 3:30-8 p.m. The Rhondas and City of Invention will fill the later time slots of the event to perform woodsy rock n’ roll.
The 12-year-old event has been a major hit with people in attendance. Lesley Sickle, marketing and branding representative for Main Street Kent, shared one of her favorite memories from a previous Oktoberfest.
“There was a year — I think 2016 — we had a lot of rain,” she said. “There were tents set up everywhere, and we popped some up down the center of the road. There was an entire group of people who took the tent, and they lowered it; they were all huddled under it, and there’s a picture of it. They looked like turtles under this big tent, making the most of it.”
Isaac Lezaic is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].