Now in its fifth year, Kirkland Oktoberfest is three epic days of cold bier, hot sausages and sizzling oompah. This is the real deal with an authentic German biergarten, multiple entertainment stages, competitions, games and featuring only the best imported German and Northwest craft brews, ciders and wines.
Sausages, pretzels and a variety of other food options will keep guests well-fed while they play a round of corn hole or watch the wiener dog races. Guests can also enter the Hungry Hippos competition or try their hand at stein hoisting. Additionally, there will be games of beer pong and human foosball or guests can sit back with a stein of ice cold beer and watch the hilarity.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own stein to the festival. Costumes, hats and festive attire are always welcome and well-dressed guests may even win one of the costume contests.
Kirkland Oktoberfest is a fun and inclusive event that has always relied an awesome group of volunteers to ensure its success. Volunteers are needed to help pour beer, greet guests, sell merchandise, and help the event behind the scenes. Shifts run from two and a half hours to four hours and volunteers are rewarded handsomely with festival entry, beer tickets and a t-shirt or swag. For more information on volunteering visit www.universe.com/events/kirkland-oktoberfest-volunteer-tickets-D59YFP
Kirkland Oktoberfest supports the community generating over $17,500 for Kirkland-based nonprofits last year. This year, proceeds will benefit the Kirkland Downtown Association, Rotary Club of Kirkland Downtown, American Cancer Society, Eastside Timebank, Sibling House, Imagine Housing and Mercer Island Eastside Orphans and Waifs. These non-profits are doing the great work of providing much-needed services to local neighbors and making the community a better place.
The biergarten is ticketed and 21 and over, so guests must have a valid ID to enter. The wiener dog races on Sunday are all ages and FREE. Guests are encouraged to bring all of your wiener dog friends. Additionally, Sunday is Dog Day in the biergarten so guests can bring their pooch.
Commuters should expect traffic delays around Marina Park due to the festival. The Lakeshore Plaza parking lot and Kirkland Ave. between Lake St. and the City dock will be closed to vehicles from 4 a.m. on Sept. 22 until noon on Sept. 25. The City’s boat launch will remain open all weekend, however boaters should expect delays and limited access at Marina Park Dock.
More than 10,000 attendees are expected during the three-day event. Event website information may be accessed at www.explorekirkland.com.
Event goers are encouraged to carpool and plan for their parking in advance. For public parking, including the Kirkland Municipal Garage, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/parking. For bus transportation, go to http://tripplanner.kingcounty.
For permit information contact, Sudie Elkayssi, Special Projects Coordinator, City of Kirkland Parks & Community Services Department at 425-587-3347 or selkayssi@kirklandwa.gov.
Visit oktoberfestkirkland.com/ for more information on volunteering, event details and transportation.
Courtesy of Chump Change Productions (Kirkland Events)
