Dateline: Munich, Germany – 1810. The country is buzzing about the marriage of Crowned Prince Ludwig I to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. In honor, a 16-day celebration that spanned September and October is held – including beer, a generous array of food, contests, markets and games.
Oktoberfest was born.
With a nod to Ludwig I, Durango will host its own Oktoberfest this Saturday and Sunday in the Durango Transit Center parking lot. Admittedly, we won’t have quite the same excesses as the Bavarian monarchy, but plans are for an event that offers nonstop fun and festivities for all ages.
First National Bank of Durango’s Oktoberfest Durango is sponsored by Mercury Payment Systems, The Wells Group and First Southwest Bank and organized by the Durango Business Improvement District. It’s set for noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Special thanks also goes out to additional sponsors, 360Durango.com, Basin Printing & Imaging, TravelHost Magazine, Pool Creative, Nature’s Oasis, MiloMedia, Durango Party Rental, Durango Massive Productions, KDUR and KSUT.
In keeping with Oktoberfest’s historic tradition to offer a festival environment, Alpine Bank will host the Kinderplatz Kids Area, featuring face painting, bubble making, Strider bike course, pumpkin explosion and apple bobbing. Sutherland Farms Market will create a “giant” Pumpkin Patch, and additional weekend activities include the 99x and 92.9 The Point Polar Plunge dunk tank; Rent-a-Man/Urban Market Kissing Booth; giant XRock Klackers game; and Concrete Sk8 Shop Skateboard Exhibition. And that’s just a few of the activities!
We’ve got two performance stages, so music will be nonstop. On Saturday enjoy the Alpiners, Big N’s, Bacon and Atomga; Sunday we’re featuring Alte Kamaraden, JRPT, Elder Grown and Mountain Standard Time.
Food will be plentiful with offerings from Sunnyside Meats, Fired Up Pizza and Chumba’s Big Dog, plus Tom Cat’s Lemonade and Teas. And of course, there must be beer.
We’re excited to offer a variety of local and some very special out-of-area brews: Bottom Shelf Brewery, BREW Pub & Kitchen, Carver Brewing Co., Durango Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Co., New Belgium Brewing Co., Odell Brewing Co., Wolfe Brewing Co., and Santa Fe Brewing Co. Wine from Wines of the San Juan and cocktails from Wicked HARD also will be available.
Oktoberfest is free to enter, though some activities do have a nominal cost. Food and beverages will be sold via tokens or cash only; to purchase alcohol, you must be 21 or older and have valid ID.
So walk, ride your bike or catch the Main Avenue trolley – just get to the event!
Noch ein bier, bitte!
timw@downtowndurango.org. Tim Walsworth is the executive director of the Durango Business Improvement District.
On the Net
For updates and a full schedule: www.OktoberfestDurango.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OktoberfestDurango
Twitter: www.twitter.com/OktoberfestDGO
Instagram: www.instagram.com/oktoberfestdurango
