Parker Oktoberfest 2015 Celebrates German Traditions and the Change of Seasons
If you’re looking for a fun and different way to celebrate the change of seasons this weekend, head to downtown Parker for the 10th Annual Oktoberfest.
The event will be held in O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Drive in Parker, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015.
You’ll find authentic German food, a Biergarten serving four Paulaner beers and a schnapps shooter team that will be serving “Oktoshots,” and live German music and Bavarian cultural dancers.
You don’t want to miss the family center. That’s where you can watch or participate in 13 daily competitions for both children and adults, including brat eating, pie eating and yodeling. Additional activities for children at this family-friendly event include an obstacle course, bungee tramp, climbing wall and midway games.
The food vendors are fantastic. They include world re-known Chef Walt Neuhold of Styria Catering, Parker’s own Rick Seewald of Sweet Lorraine’s Catering and Denver’s newest German restaurant, Wurstkuche.
The list of entertainers will also carry on that German authenticity. The Bavarian/German bands will include the Continentals, Tanzkapelle and Average German Band. The Denver Kickers Schuhplattler Dance Group and the TEV Edelweiss Bolktanz Group will also entertain throughout the weekend.
And, of course, the Chicken Dance, which first came to the United States in 1981 as part of the nation’s Oktoberfest celebrations, will be part of the fun.
There will be Chicken Dance competitions, eggs races and more to get everyone into the spirit. In addition, White Fence Farms will prepare Red Bird Farms chickens for attendees’ eating pleasure, including Oktobocks, which are German drumsticks on the bone.
And you won’t have to stand out in the sun to enjoy all the entertainment and food. There will be a large, 5,000-square-foot tent that will provide a comfortable setting to take in all of the excitement.
Finally, it’s all for a good cause. Proceeds benefit the Colorado Council of Arts, Science & Culture, and the arts, science and cultural programs it supports.
For information and the complete entertainment schedule, visit www.ParkerOktoberfest.com.