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Sunday, May 29, 2022

Southlake Oktoberfest Brings German Family Fun to Town Square for 15th Year

Oktoberfest logoFrom authentic German food to live entertainment and wiener dog races, Southlake Oktoberfest is back for its 15th year in Southlake Town Square October 7-9.

In a perfect, walkable location, the family friendly event is one of the largest German-inspired festivals in the area and the largest annual event in Southlake, having grown from an estimated 15,000 in attendance during its first year to an expected 100,000 people this year. With free parking and admission, guests are encouraged to come and enjoy what has developed into a favorite fall attraction for the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area.

With a variety of exciting elements, here are a few don’t-miss activities at Southlake Oktoberfest:

  • Swiss Horns – The sounds of authentic alpine horns will kick off festivities at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, followed by remarks from a German dirndl-clad Mayor Laura Hill at 5:30 p.m.kid zone
  • Live Entertainment – Singers and bands will entertain the crowds from two stages during the weekend, including headliners Le Freak, the self-proclaimed “greatest disco band in the world,” and the Molly Ringwalds, a group that specializes in all things ‘80s, from hair to music.
  • Die Festalle – The Festival Hall Tent located in the middle of the event is the site for seating, food, and one of two bars providing beer and wine. Additional dining options will be found by vendors surrounding Southlake Town Hall serving up everything from authentic German cuisine to traditional festival food.
  • Arts & Crafts – Artists and craft exhibitors in Rustin and Family Park will offer hand-crafted products for sale, including jewelry, furniture and artwork.
  • Sports Zone – Home to the 9×16 foot GoVision big screen, the Sports Zone will offer numerous sports activities, including several new athletic games this year. Also home to the Biergarten, guests will find a selection of authentic German beers to enjoy while watching college and NFL games on the big screen.
  • Kids Zone – With the same youth-friendly elements from previous years, the Kids Zone will provide exciting entertainment for children, including games, activities and face painting. Popular children’s singer/song writer Eddie Coker will perform on the main entertainment stage near the Kids Zone at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
  • Wiener Dog Events – Easily the most popular attraction at Southlake Oktoberfest, the wiener dog events will take place on Saturday morning of the festival, beginning with the costume parade at 9:30 a.m. and races at 10:00 a.m. Dachshund owners are encouraged to register their dogs online prior to the event.

Hosted by the Southlake Chaalpine hornsmber of Commerce and presented by Grubbs Infiniti, the City of Southlake has also been a dedicated partner in the event since its inception in 2001 – providing financial support and police and fire department presence throughout the festival. With many City staffers volunteering their time on the planning committee and during the event, Southlake Oktoberfest truly is a community-wide effort.

Southlake Oktoberfest hours of operation are Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Although parking at the event is free, additional free parking and a shuttle service will be available at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church over the weekend. Shuttles will run continuously to and from Southlake Town Square.

For additional information, contact the Southlake Chamber of Commerce at 817-481-8200 or visit www.OktoberfestSouthlake.com.

Annual Oktoberfest Celebration Returns to Southlake October 3-5

Oktoberfest-Final-Logo-GENERICThe 13th annual Oktoberfest Southlake will soon return to Southlake Town Square during October 3-5. Hosted by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce and presented by Texas Nissan of Grapevine, the family friendly event is one of the largest German-inspired festivals in the area.  Attendance is expected to exceed 80,000 people this year. With free parking and admission, everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy this community event that offers everything from live entertainment to wiener dog races.

Live entertainment will take place throughout the weekend on two stages. Several of last year’s entertainers will perform, including as Micah Blalock, Brave Combo and School of Rock, as well as newcomers The Space Rockers, Blue Finger Disco and Back in Black.

Located in the middle of the festival, Die Festalle, or the Festival Hall Tent, will provide seating, food, beer and wine, and will house one of the entertainment stages. Offering everything from authentic German cuisine to traditional fair food, a total of 18 food vendors will be stationed throughout the event.

Nearly 60 area arts and crafts exhibitors will offer hand-crafted products for sale, including jewelry, furniture and artwork.

The Sports Zone will offer numerous activities, including football tosses, scooter races, free throw contests, snag golf and athletic tests.  There will be multiple video gaming stations inside the GameStop tent. College and NFL games will be aired on the 9×16 foot GoVision big screen outdoors. The Sports Zone will also be home to the Biergarten, or Beer Tent, where popular radio personality Adam Bomb will emcee contests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4.

The Kid Zone will provide entertainment for children, including games, train rides, a bounce house, face paintings, and a towering rock climbing wall. Although the festival as a whole offers free admission, admittance to the Kid Zone requires a wrist band, which may be purchased for $10 at any ticket booth during the event.

Street performers, including a magician, a juggler, a clown, a flag twirler and a stilt walker will make their way through the festival streets, providing amusing entertainment for all guests.

The wildly popular wiener dog events will take place on Saturday morning of the festival, beginning with the costume parade at 9:30 a.m. and races at 10:00 a.m. Dachshund owners may register their dogs online for a $20.00 entry fee or on site for a $25.00 entry fee.

Oktoberfest Southlake hours of operation are Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information, contact the Southlake Chamber of Commerce at 817-481-8200 or visit www.OktoberfestSouthlake.com.

Southlake Oktoberfest Competitors

Southlake Oktoberfest Competitors

12th Annual Southlake Oktoberfest Scheduled October 4-6

One of the area’s largest Oktoberfest celebrations is gearing up for its 12th year during October 4-6 at Southlake Town Square. Highlighting this year’s German-inspired festival are the wildly popular wiener dog races, live entertainment all weekend, and bratwurst and beer will be served in the Die Festalle tent. Presented by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce and Texas Nissan of Grapevine, approximately 75,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event. Admission and parking are free.

As one of the most popular Oktoberfest celebrations in Dallas-Fort Worth, Southlake Oktoberfest is a fun family event with activities for both adults and children:

  • Approximately 100 arts and crafts exhibitors selling handmade products.
  • Food vendors serving both German and American fare.
  • An active “Sports Zone” featuring a 9×16 foot television screen airing college and NFL games.
  • Children’s area with games, train rides, bounce houses and rock climbing wall.
  • Street performers including magician, juggler, clown, flag twirler and stilt walker.
  • Die Festalle (festival) tent with German food, beer and wine, and live entertainment.

More than 180 dogs participated in the wiener dog races last year, which will take place Saturday, October 5, beginning with the costume parade at 9:45 a.m. and races start at 10:00 a.m. Registration can be done online or onsite starting at 8:30 a.m.

Swiss alpine horns will kick-off the festivities Friday at 5:00 p.m. on the steps of Southlake Town Hall. Live entertainment will take place throughout the weekend on two stages, including both local performers and regional bands:

  • Friday  ̶  Micah Blalock,  Big Wheel and A Hard Night’s Day
  • Saturday  ̶  Grammy award-winning Brave Combo, Southlake Community Band, Julie Elias, Guns 4 Roses, Lone Star Ramblers and High Definition
  • Sunday  ̶  Maylee Thomas, Event Horizon, Rob Holbert Afro-American Jazz and Alpine Village Band

New this year is “Battle of the Bands” presented by School of Rock in Southlake. Six bands, comprised of School of Rock student musicians, will perform 15 minute sets beginning at 2:00 p.m. Saturday on the Festival Hall Stage (next to Tyler’s). The audience will vote for its favorite via a Twitter hash tag and the winning band will be announced that evening.

Southlake Oktoberfest is free admission to the public. Hours of operation are Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information regarding Oktoberfest, contact the Southlake Chamber of Commerce at 817-481-8200 or visit www.OktoberfestSouthlake.com.