Oktoberfest at SteelStacks Opens Tonight

Music, games, giveaways, schnitzel, sausage, wiener dogs and lots and lots of beer will be on tap for the second Oktoberfest at SteelStacks, which opens at 5 p.m. today.

Highlighting the opening night activities is an authentic Oktoberfest Keg Tap at 8 p.m. featuring D.G. Yuengling & Son President Dick Yuengling. Join Yuengling, along with ArtsQuest President Jeff Parks, as they officially kick off the festival by using a mallet to tap a keg of Yuengling beer and make a ceremonial toast with the crowd.

It is at this time that the festival will be unveiling its very own Oktoberfest song, a tradition that has now been carried over from Germany’s legendary Oktoberfest. 

Other highlights of Oktoberfest’s opening weekend include:

• The first-ever Oktoberfest Skills Challenge, noon-5 p.m. Saturday - featuring 10 area taverns competing in four fun-filled events including Brat Flip Cup and the 40,000-pound Yuengling Truck Pull.
• Crowning of the first-ever Miss Oktoberfest  - 4:30 p.m., Saturday -- Vote for your favorite Bethlehem barmaid on the ArtsQuest Oktoberfest page before the end of the day today for a chance to win a pair of free tickets to the festival.
• Stein races and barrel rolling competitions
• The Debut of Kastner’s Oktoberfest Players – colorful characters dressed in lederhosen and dirndls, leading all the fun and games at Oktoberfest.
• Live music on three stages
• Free giveaways to the first 500 people in the gates each day:

     Oct. 5 – Yuengling Koozie – first 500 patrons 21 years of age & older
     Oct. 6 – Service Electric Dirndl T-shirts – first 500 women 18 years & older
     Oct. 7 – PNC Bank Tote Bags – first 500 patrons 18 years & older

Oktoberfest hours are 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday.

You can purchase tickets at the gate for $10 or $8 for ArtsQuest members. Weekend passes for all three days are $20 or $15 for ArtsQuest members.

For more information, visit www.artsquest.org/oktoberfest.