Oktoberfest on the move due to massive demand
CARMARTHEN’S much anticipated German beer festival Oktoberfest is relocating to a bigger venue just days before the big day due to a huge demand for tickets.
The festival, which takes place this Saturday, was pencilled in for the town’s St Peter’s Civic Hall, but organisers have announced a last-minute change and shifted the event to a building in the showground at Nantyci on the outskirts of Carmarthen.
Local organiser Jason Thomas is working with Oktoberfest UK to stage the festival and says he is bringing the real Oktoberfest atmosphere straight from Munich to Carmarthen.
He added: “We have been receiving high volumes of messages from people who were unable to get tickets in time before they all sold out, so our team have been working behind the scenes to find somewhere that can meet the increased demand.
“For those who don’t know the venue at the showground, it’s a much bigger space, reminiscent of the great beer halls of Munich and far more fitting for a beer festival of this size.”
The larger location means room for more tables, more food, bigger bars, more entertainment and a dancefloor. There will be a dedicated shuttle bus and the event will in one big sitting instead of separate sessions, as was planned at the civic hall.
There will be a shuttle every 30 minutes between the bus stop outside the Rose and Crown pub in Lammas Street and the showground running from noon to 5.30pm.
At night, returning from the showground there will be a shuttle at 9pm, 9.30pm, then every 15 minutes between 10pm and 11.30pm.
Jason added: “The session will now run as one longer, extended session, with all customers welcome between noon and 11pm, with last entry at 7pm.
“All tickets and table reservations already made are valid.
“Current ticket holders do not need to do anything and are welcome to arrive any time before last entry at 7pm.” Fancy dress is also strongly encouraged, so get your lederhosen at the ready.
The change of venue has disappointed some people, with some posting on social media claiming that the town centre would now lose out on trade due to Oktoberfest’s out-oftown location.
The initial plan was to encourage pubs and venues in Carmarthen to hold a German-themed day, which would have spilled over from the civic hall festivities.
In response Jason said: “There has been such demand for tickets that the civic hall doesn’t have the capacity now, and the town as a whole doesn’t have a venue capable.
“We are looking at around 1,000 people at the showground compared to around 350 which is what the civic hall would have held. We had to relocate to make it a viable event.
“There are shuttle buses throughout the day and the Oktoberfest finishes at 11pm, meaning venues in town can still benefit from it.”
A small amount of tickets are still on sale for the festival at www.skiddle.com/whats-on/swansea/ Carmarthen-county-showground/ Oktoberfest-cymru2022-carmarthen-/36124042/.
You can book the free shuttle bus tickets at the same site.