All things German By Colin Anderson
Trumer Pils, Warsteiner Dunkel, Hacker-Pschorr Weisse—just a few of the authentic German beers you can partake in at one of the biggest and best Oktoberfest celebrations around. Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 4 through 6, cruise up to the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup and get ready for one heck of a party. Oktoberfest Northwest is now in its 15th year, and crowds continue to swell.
Dirndls, lederhosen, beer, brats and Bavarian music fill the Festhalle Biergarten, Washington’s largest Munich-style beer hall. Revelers drink, dance, play games and go all out for one of the most fun weekends of the year.
Be sure to come hungry, as the food takes center stage at this Oktoberfest. Traditional German fare like schnitzel, potato salad and bratwurst are accompanied by various other meats, savories and sweets. You’ll want to quench your thirst and won’t have trouble finding refreshments with taps all over the grounds. Wine and cider are also available as are non-alcoholic drinks for kids and designated drivers.
If your competitive side starts heating up, there are plenty of ways to test your skills against others. The Bier-lympics include events like stein holding and brat toss. Hammerschlagen is an always popular event in which contestants gather around a wooden stump and attempt to drive a nail fully into it using the least amount of swings. There is a Stein Dash 5k, and kids can run in the ½-mile Root Beer Run. Live music and other entertainment kick off at noon and continues all night. This year you can end the night with ‘80’s cover bands Nite Wave and The Spasmatics. Children can enjoy Kinderfest with face painting and scavenger hunts, among other activities. Note: No one under 21 is permitted after 6pm on Friday and Saturday.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at OktoberfestNW.com. General admission, Fest Stein and Bier, and special VIP packages are also available.