Kingsport Oktoberfest | September 22nd
This is usually about the time of year that I come to the realization that the fall is shot. Between football games, family events, beer festivals and just life in general the weekends start to become a blur of activity. The nights will begin to start earlier and I’ll be less inclined to be proactive during the weekday evenings with yard work and the like. Instead I’ll find myself cracking open some fall seasonal brews and enjoying the crispness of the sunset.
What I’ve come to learn about the importance of this time just prior to college football is planning. That said, I did want to get the Kingsport Oktoberfest on your radar as it is just less than a month out. Last year marked the inaugural launch of this festival and while this snob was unable to make it – perhaps due to poor planning – KnoxBeerSnob Don was able to go and took along his family for the ride – he and the family had a great time and he specifically pointed out that this was one of the few beer-centric festivals he had been to that really did have something for everyone.
Now, don’t think that Märzen style lagers will be the only thing on tap at this event. While the details on the brewers are still being finalized but I do know that NODA out of Charlotte will be in attendance and Mississippi’s Lazy Magnolia will be bringing two special casks – a Ghost Pepper Cask an a Pablano Pepper – pretty sweet.
Also, don’t worry about missing any football as the games will be broadcast outside with beer trucks within just a few steps. In typical Oktoberfest style as well, there will be Beer Boots and Clay Steins to help you feel extra German during the event.
New this year is the Ompaah Olympics – competing local high school alumni teams will be participating in a barrel race, pretzel toss, Bavarian Brat Eating Contest and a Costume Contest. The winning team gets a $500 donation to their athletic department – pretty cool.
For the kids, Das Kidzone returns with 4 inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting, an arts table from Kingsport Arts, kids German dance from Kingsport Arts, mini golf and a petting zoo. Here’s hoping that the definition of “kid” is a bit loose AND that those inflatables aren’t too far from the ball games being broadcast.
As with any good Oktoberfest there will be a Ms. Oktoberfest contest and a Yuengling Stein competition – so start practicing.
While what I’ve written above certainly isn’t exhaustive (i.e. don’t forget Beer University!) hopefully it’ll give you a pretty good idea of what they’ve got going on so you can convince your significant other to load the kiddos up and head to Kingsport on the 22nd. Fore more information and for tickets, check out the Kingsport Oktoberfest site here. Hope to see you there!
Here’s a video with last year’s highlights. Look for KnoxBeerSnob Don at about the 33 second mark.