The City of Gaithersburg’s 30th annual free celebration of Oktoberfest from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8, will provide an opportunity to experience a wide variety of German traditions, food, beer and entertainment.
The festival will take place in and around the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, Kentlands Mansion, Kentlands Village Green and along Main Street and Inspiration Lane. Admission and parking are free. Free wheelchair accessible shuttle service will run regularly during festival hours to and from satellite parking at 101 Orchard Ridge Dr., just off of Quince Orchard Road.
Octoberfest will include performances by the Alte Kameraden German Band and Alt-Washingtonia Bavarian Dancers. There will be opportunities to savor traditional festival food while enjoying selections from local breweries, including festival partners Dogfish Head Alehouse and Saints Row Brewing. There also will be beverages available for purchase from Clear Skies Meadery, Landmade Farm Brewery, Two Story Chimney Ciderworks, and Silly Yak Beer. Also available will be non-alcoholic beer by Sobar.
Fall festivities will include professional pumpkin carving and apple cider pressing demonstrations, fun inflatables, hands-on crafts, pumpkin and face painting, balloon twisting, bubbles, artists and crafters, family activities and strolling entertainers. There will be three stages of live entertainment featuring Sol Roots, La Unica, Donuts for Dinner and The Real Geniuses. The event will have a business expo and chances to explore restaurants and retail establishments within the Kentlands. Some activities have a nominal fee.
The wide area of the festival will require the temporary closing of several streets in the Kentlands. To see the full list of road closures, go to https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/special-events/oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest is sponsored in part by the Elaine Koch Group and The Maryland State Arts Council.
For more information, call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
