Oktoberfest
The start of the event
The first Oktoberfest dates back to October 1967, where it was held at German Village until 1972. That year, it took place on the Ohio Expo Center's fairgrounds in the first of more than a halfdozen moves over the decades.
Unfortunately, last year wasn't the first time Oktoberfest was “cancelled.”
The festival nearly died in 2009 when the German Village Society canceled the event after nearby residents rejected plans to bring it back to German Village. The Schmidt family, who runs the event and owns Schmidt's Sausage Haus, rescued the festival, moving it back to the fairgrounds that fall.
The enduring appeal
Epler credits Oktoberfest's lasting popularity to its authentic feel. Along with the expo's large pavilions reminiscent
of the beer halls in Germany, she said the event incorporates the best elements from festivals across the Western European country.
“They all have a different feel to them, but we feel we've taken the best parts of the ones we've seen in Munich and make it so there's something for everyone,” Epler said.
“The highest compliment we get is when folks come up to us and say, ‘This makes me feel at home.'”
Starting off with the annual keg tap, the weekend will be full of adult and family-friendly activities such as karaoke contests, face painting and delicious German food options from vendors such as Neffy's Concessions, Mozarts and others.
Guests will be able to shop at the Marktplatz Pavilion and watch artists perform on the festival's various musical stages.
Entertainment Director Wayne Owens, who's been involved with the festival for over 30 years, said this year's event will take on a more “diversified approach.”
Along with traditional German music from polka bands, the placement of an “ethnic stage” ensures attendees can enjoy performances led by alternative, rock, gospel and bluegrass acts.
While Owens and other organizers have focused on diversifying the weekend-long tradition, he said German heritage will be remain in the spotlight.
“Like any organization, you don't have to reinvent the wheel every year, you just have to put a spoke in here or there and that's what we've been successful in doing,” Owens said.
With an expected attendance of 30,000, Epler said the festival will be ideal for social distancing and organizers will follow safety protocols — sanitize high-touch areas and have hand sanitization bottles available. Guests will also be encouraged to masks if they are unvaccinated.
“We're confident people will be smart about coming and we're just so excited to be able to welcome them to the fairgrounds here and be able to celebrate being outside,” she said.
Despite the changes the festival has undergone, Schmidt said attendees can expect the same family-friendly fun and
rich feel from the days of yesteryear.
“The keyword is ‘celebration,'” he said. “It's a celebration of everything — life, family and friends. That's what we want to see in accomplishing this, so we're very excited.” ehopkins@dispatch.com @Earl_hopkins1