Eat, Drink And Be Merry at Oktoberfest

The Rotary Club will sponsor its fifth annual Oktoberfest on Center Street in historic downtown Eureka Springs on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., says Oktoberfest chairwoman and Rotarian Dorothy Guertin.

For $20, participants can purchase a wristband that will allow all of the craft beer tastings they would like to try from area craft breweries like Bentonville Brewing Company, Core Brewing Company, Lost Forty Brewing, McBride Distributing Company, Mother’s Brewing Company and Ozark Beer Company.

“Folks can come in and taste all the beer they can drink,” says Guertin. “They can refill their 4-ounce commemorative cup until the beer runs out or until we all go home.”

Traditional Oktoberfest German fare of brats, turkey legs and pretzels will be available for an additional charge. Those who would prefer to skip the beer can pay $5 to enjoy the ambiance of the street and listen to one of Northwest Arkansas’ favorite duos, Handmade Moments. Guertin also points out that Barrett Baber, the Northwest Arkansas artist who was featured on “The Voice” in 2015, will be performing at 5 p.m. in Basin Park, and though his performance is not affiliated with Oktoberfest, it may be a good “after event” for those looking for more to do in downtown Eureka Springs.

Guertin says the funds raised from the event will go to the Flint Street Fellowships “Back Our Kids” program, which sends packs of food home on Fridays to students whose families suffer from food insecurity issues. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to the Eureka Springs Trail Committee to help build a new kiosk for the trail hub.

“We usually see around 500 people at the event, and have raised around $5,000 in the past,” says Guertin. “Who doesn’t want to drink craft beer and listen to music on a beautiful fall day in beautiful downtown Eureka Springs?”