If this year’s third annual Kirkland Oktoberfest at Marina Park in downtown has a theme, it would be “more of everything.”
The three day authentic München-style Oktoberfest Biergarten, Sept. 25-27, plans on adding more authentic German cuisine, imported beers, as well as micro-breweries. They’re also adding more live performances by German bands including The S-Bahn, Doppelbock, The Gordanairs, Happy Hans, Smilin’ Scandinavians and the Bavarian Biergarten Band.
Creative Director Rob Butcher said they expect 10,000 people to attend, and that the number has been doubling each year.
“There are a lot of Oktobfests (on the Eastside), but Kirkland has a special appeal,” he said. “We have the greatest location on Lake Washington in Marina Park in downtown Kirkland. Having a festival on the lake and adjacent to downtown is an unbeatable combination.”
The 2015 Biergarten hours are 4-11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Oktoberfest is open to people 21 or older. I.D. will be required to enter. A root beer garden will be available for those under 21.
Among the additions this year is the home-brewing competition. Online registration is open through this Saturday. Competition judging will take place Sunday at Chainline Brewing in Kirkland. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony presentation on the Biergarten Stage at 3 p.m. on Sept. 26.
Among the local beers to be featured at Oktoberfest include Black Raven, Chainline Brewing, Flycaster Brewing Postdoc Brewing, Scuttlebutt Brewing, DruBru Brewing and McMenamin’s Anderson School Brewing.
The festival will also have the third annual Kirkland Oktoberfest Wiener Dog Race at 1 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Marina Park, which is open for all ages. Check-in is at 12:30 p.m., no fee required. The race is a timed competition on a grass track stretching 30 yards from start to finish. The number of qualifier races will depend on how many wiener dogs are registered. Semi-final winners will compete in the grand finale race between 2:15-3 p.m., depending on number of entrants.
Participants are encouraged to wear lederhosen (men) and dirndl (gals) for a best-dressed contest. They are also encouraged to use alternative methods of transportation such as walking, busing or carpooling.
Dogs are only allowed on Sunday.
Marina Park is located at 25 Lakeshore Plaza Drive. No streets will be closed during the festival.
For more information, go to www.oktoberfestkirkland.com.
A map of places to park in downtown can be downloaded at kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Public+Works/Public+Works+PDFs/Pay+Park/Park+Smart/Guide +to+Public+Parking.pdf.