BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Raise a stein, it's October at SteelStacks.
Oktoberfest, a two-weekend celebration held by ArtsQuest, is back for its 15th year, featuring four biergartens and new competitions Friday through Sunday, Oct. 3-5, and Oct. 10-12.
This year's event will include a stein-holding competition, polka bands and schuhplattlers performers, a bratwurst-eating contest, a 5K run, dog race, pretzel toss, karaoke, drag show and beirgartens.
“It energizes the community with cultural entertainment, delicious food and live music."Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of Lehigh Valley International Airport, which sponsors Oktoberfest.
“After 15 years, Oktoberfest remains a must-visit destination in the Lehigh Valley,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of Lehigh Valley International Airport, which sponsors Oktoberfest.
“It energizes the community with cultural entertainment, delicious food and live music."
New this year will be the Oktoberfest pretzel toss, held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Oktoberfest Arena.
Partners will take turns tossing soft pretzels to one another, increasing their distance with each throw.
It's free to register; spots are first-come, first-served.
Also, the inaugural Fliplehem Oktoberfest Flip Cup Tournament will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10.
Teams of four will compete in a bracket-style tournament, with cups filled with water instead of beer.
Registration is required, and participants must be 21 years or older.
The winning team will receive $50 ArtsQuest Gift Cards for each member.
Bratwurst-eating, stein-holding contests
While it's not a new contest for Oktoberfest, participants can test their stomach skills at the Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Eating Competition at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 12.
Contestants ages 18 and older will face off to see who can be the first to finish 10 Karl Ehmer brats (without buns) and hold them down for two minutes, with the winner claiming a $250 prize
Registration is $10 and can be completed at the festival's entry form.
Beer holders can test their strength at the Pennsylvania State Stein-holding Championship, presented by Samuel Adams.
The event will begin with a qualifier at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.
It’s free to participate, and the contestants with the best times will advance to the finals.
Each contestant will have to hold a stein containing a liter of beer.
The championship will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11. The winner gets $500.
To register, visit the Oktoberfest page.
Kong Pong Tournament
You can relive your college days and enter the Oktoberfest Kong Pong Tourney, which kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.
There will be 55-gallon cups, two dodgeballs and two $100 ArtsQuest gift cards as a prize for the team that wins the tournament.
Registration is $11. Teams (all participants must be 21 years old or older) can register on the day of the event.
Polka and Schuhplattlers
It wouldn't be a proper Oktoberfest without polka and traditional Schuhplattler stomps.
Across the four biergartens — Hofbräu, Samuel Adams/Dogfish Head, Spaten and Yuengling — polka bands including Fritz’s Polka Band, Polkadelphia and Bavarian Kings are scheduled to take the stage.
Plus, visitors can dance along to the traditional Schuhplattler performances by GTV Almrausch, GTEV D’Lustigen Isartaler, and Almrausch Altoona.
And you can join in or watch the performers of Schuhplattler — a Bavarian folk dance in which dancers slap their legs and shoes while stomping.
They include GTV Almrausch, GTEV D’Lustigen Isartaler and Almrausch Altoona. For a complete list of entertainment, visit the Oktoberfest lineup page.
Additionally, attendees can take their a turn singing during karaoke hour hosted by Ellen Ritter, a multimedia designer who has hosted karaoke in the Lehigh Valley for 15 years.
Karaoke will take place at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10.
Also, the annual Dragtoberfest will be hosted by former Miss Gay Pennsylvania Elektra Fearce St. James, who will return at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.
Entry is free, but attendees must be 18 years or older.
Weiner dog races, 5K
The annual running of the weiner dogs will return on both weekends.
All Dachshunds and Dachshund mixes (25 pounds and less) can register ($15 per dog) for the four-legged race.
Following the four-legged contest, there will be a wiener dog parade in which pups will sport their Oktoberfest and other colorful costumes.
One lucky dog will be crowned the President or Chancellor of the parade, plus prizes will be awarded.
To register, visit the weiner dog page.
The Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K will start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5.
The race will begin at the SteelStacks Campus, 101 Founders Way.
Registration costs $60 and includes a T-shirt, beer mug, race bibs and race medals for the first 1,000 people to register.
Runners will be welcomed at the finish line with authentic German music, including a special set by Schützengiggles Oompah.
GTV Almrausch also will perform during the 5k, adding to the festive atmosphere. Pre-registration is required.
Sign up for the race at the Oktoberfest registration page.
German eats
New food vendors will joined the festivities.
Options include eats from Heaven on a Bun, MMG Concessions, Heidi's Strudel, Island Expressions, the Taste Smokers, Karl Ehmer Quality Meats, Dinky's Snack Shack, Bacon on a Stick and Take a Taco.
There will also be four biergartens with beer selections by Hofbräu, Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head, Spaten and Yuengling.
For some retail therapy, local artisans scheduled to appear include True Honey Teas, Ruby Hottie Hot Sauce, Chocolate Moonshine Company, Pittston Popcorn Co., Matt-Hat Jerky and Keystone Farms Cheese.
Also, Case De Jorge Salsa Company, Celtic Vibe, Hometown Spark Permanent Jewelry, Me & My Dog Pet Bakery LLC, Sunflower Trading Company, The General Store and Authentic German Beer Steins.
Beer village, culinary experiences
Beer connoisseurs won't want to miss the Brewer's Village at Musikfest Café, now in its ninth year.
Presented by the Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild, the event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Offerings as diverse as pumpkin ales and German marzens will be among 30 types of buzzy drinks to sample from regional craft breweries.
Attendees will get a commemorative sampling mug and have the chance to mingle with the breweries' staff.
Tickets start at $44.50.
Additionally, ArtsQuest, Levy Restaurants and D.G. Yuengling & Sons have teamed up to hold a four-course dinner paired with four Yuengling beers.
Guests will get a four-course meal including pork schnitzel slider, bratwurst stew and bread pudding.
The dinner will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.
Each guest receives a special Yuengling glass.
Tickets start at $76.50.
For more information on Oktoberfest, visit its page on the SteelStacks site.
