Same fun times, different format
10th annual event will feature food, live music and some virtual programming
COVID-19 isn’t going to take our bratwurst and strudel away.
The 10th annual Oktoberfest — Sept. 26 and 27 at Bethlehem’s SteelStacks — will feature in-person foods to taste, live music, events and some virtual programming.
Here’s the rundown on the Oktober-festivities:
Food choices
Oktoberfest is always a great opportunity to pick up German favorites and this will be no exception, despite the pandemic.
Similar to how Musikfest worked this year, there will be a “Oktoberfest To Go” Food Service and Biergarten on PNC Plaza.
Here are the vendors and their menus: (You’ll recognize these names as they are perennial Musikfest favorites).
■ Heaven on a Bun: Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Bavarian burger, cheesesteaks, sausage sandwiches, platters, hot dogs, french fries, cheese fries, crabby fries, pierogis, mozzarella sticks, sweet potato fries
■ Heidi’s Strudel and lsland Expressions: Strudel, German roasted almonds, boom boom shrimp, coconut shrimp, halupki, cabbage and noodles, battered veggies, smoothies, funnel cake, fried Oreos
■ Karl Ehmer: Bratwurst, krainerwurst, knockwurst, weisswurst, long Vienna hot dog, schnitzel, potato salad, platters, German soft pretzels, sauerkraut pierogies, soda
Waffle de Lys: Authentic Belgian waffles with assorted toppings
Beverages including Yuengling’s Oktoberfest, Hofbräu and more will be available for guests to enjoy with their food if they opt to sit in the Biergarten.
If you’d like to stay and enjoy your food, you can get tickets for “Outdoor Dining with a Show” on the Air Products Town
Square. You can listen to German-style music while you enjoy a menu featuring loaded potato pancakes covered in corned beef brisket, fried sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Rueben-style dressing, and Schweinshaxe (roasted pork shank) served over browned butter spaetzle and cabbage. For dessert, you can get apple strudel from Mattie’s Strudel Haus and ice cream from the Bethlehem Dairy Store.
Reservations are required and tables may only seat up to four people in the
same party.
Here’s how it works: Two seating sessions — 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. — will be offered both days. Table reservation price is $10. You must wear a mask both indoors and outdoors unless you are eating and drinking. All health guidelines are in effect.
Info: steelstacks.org/oktoberfest.
Fun events in-person and online
Here’s what’s planned for the fun side of Oktoberfest. We’ve listed whether it’s a virtual event or in-person.
■ Family Fun (in-person): Kids can take home free art kits, take part in an in-person art workshop at the Banana Factory and participate in a Chalk the Walk Coloring Contest, which will be held 2 to 5 p.m. Sept 26, at SteelStacks.
■ Dragtoberfest (in-person): Some of the Valley’s top drag queens will be back for fierce and socially-distanced performances at the base of the blast furnaces, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Join Elektra Fearce St. James, Georgia Versace Couture and Clan Ann (Sharron Ann Husbands and Carol Ann Carol Ann) for a night of great fun. Tickets: $12/$10 students & seniors/$9.50 ArtsQuest members; steelstacks.org/oktoberfest
■ Virtual Hasselhoff-off – (live via Zoom and Facebook Live): One of the most enjoy
ably ridiculous contests out there, the Hasselhoff-off will be held at 8 p.m. Sept. 24. This will be the fifth year for this contest, which seeks to find the best Hoff in the Valley, complete with the slow-motion virtual beach run ala “Baywatch.”
■ Virtual Weiner Dog Parade: Oktoberfest isn’t the same without the annual Weiner Dog Parade. Here’s how it will
work this year. Owners are encouraged to dress up their weiner dogs in their favorite costumes and create home videos, which they then submit to the judging panel. The judges will review all the submissions and announce the “King and Queen” via Zoom and Facebook Live at 2 p.m. Sept. 27. Prizes will be awarded. Registration is $25 or $22.50 for ArtsQuest members, at: steelstacks.org/oktoberfest