20th Annual Oktoberfest Returns to Newport

Raise a stein to acknowledge a special anniversary while celebrating German culture, food and history at the 20th annual International Oktoberfest, on tap Columbus Day Weekend, Saturday, Oct. 6, and Sunday, Oct. 7, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Newport Yachting Center.

The event will feature brews, brats and two stages of live Bavarian entertainment, including America’s #1 German Festival Band die Schlauberger, as well as SPITZE! Oktoberfest Show Band, The Alex Meixner Band, The Alders, The Polka Family Band, and the HSV Bavaria Folk Dancers. 

Tickets for Saturday of the International Oktoberfest are $20 in advance (if ordered by Friday, October 6) and $25 at the gate/day of. For Sunday admission, advance tickets are $17 and $20 the day of.  A Weekender Pass is also available featuring entry on both days for just $30 (advance) and $40 the day of. Children under the age of 12 are free as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

For the ultimate Oktoberfest fan, an exclusive package called a “Prost! Pass” offers all-day and night admission, private access to The Point Waterfront Lounge with cocktail service, a flight sampling of 4 Oktoberfest brews, a meal voucher at Schnitzels & Giggles and an official International Oktoberfest mug. The Prost! Pass is $60 for Saturday and $57 for Sunday. Quantities are limited. All tickets to the International Oktoberfest can be purchased and printed at home by visiting www.newportwaterfrontevents.com or by calling the Newport Yachting Center Box Office at (401) 846-1600.

The Festival will open on Saturday with the “tapping of the keg” by the Master of Ceremonies or “Burgermeister” Mike Adams from WEEI’s Planet Mikey Show, who will declare “O’zapft is!”.  And what is Oktoberfest without Biergartens featuring seasonal and international varieties!  Attendees can Stillen their thirst with a wide assortment of beers, including Newport Storm Hurricane Amber Ale. Newport Storm R.I. Blueberry, Newport Storm Regenschauer Oktoberfest, Harpoon Octoberfest, Harpoon IPA, Hofbrau, Sierra Nevada Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Guinness Draught, Harp Lager, Harp Lemon Shandy, Smithwick’s Irish Ale, Warsteiner Octoberfest, Sam Adams Octoberfest, Sam Adams Boston Lager, Spaten Premium Lager, Spaten Oktoberfest, Spaten, Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse, Angry Orchard Hard Cider and Amstel Light.

“With overflowing Biergartens and continuous authentic entertainment, our International Oktoberfest is great seasonal fun for all to enjoy,” said Mike Martin, Festival Director of the Newport Yachting Center.  “You literally can get the best of both worlds; experience a crisp autumn day in beautiful Newport while being exposed to a special slice of Germany too!” 

Palmieri added that in addition to the lively American and Bavarian music, the HSV Bavaria Folk Dancers, a group of dancers, musicians, yodelers, bell ringers and singers, will introduce attendees to Bavarian/Tyrolian dance, Tracht (traditional costumes) and German culture.

For those who are looking to have something to eat with a favorite brew, delicious German and American food will be easy to find. Schnitzels & Giggles, whose owners ran the award-winning restaurant, Alphorn Bistro at the Inn at Danbury in Danbury, NH, will be setting up shop at the Festival once again to provide its authentic Austro-German cuisine prepared by Chef Bob Graf, including his Weiner Schintzel Sandwich, knackwurst, brat on a stick, German potato salad and more.  Popular Newport restaurant, The Smoke House, will also be on-site serving pulled pork, sauerbraten sandwiches, house smoked bratwurst and German hot dogs and hamburgers.  For those a little less traditional, the double-decker Julians OmniBus will also be preparing International Oktoberfest specials out of its fully operational kitchen and providing seating on the top floor for a unique grab & go dining experience.

For the little ones, be sure to stop by the RIPTA-sponsored KidSTOP between Noon and 5 p.m. for face painting, balloon creations with Mr. Twister, pumpkin decorating and more!  Children can pick up a RIPTA Traveler’s Pass at the RIPTA booth and have it stamped at each of the KidSTOPs.  When the pass is filled, children can bring it to the RIPTA booth for a special prize!

The 20th Annual International Oktoberfest musical line-up features:

For more than two decades “America’s Alpine Super Group” die Schlauberger has built their reputation on powerful and engaging live performances at notable venues such as Carnegie Hall, Shea Stadium, Giants Stadium and the Bavarian Manor Alpsfest.  Performing festival standards to rock meets alpine power the band’s mission is “keeping the traditionalists on their feet and the new generation interested.” die Schlauberger’s third CD release, entitled Total Kaos topped the international music charts for sales in America.  The band’s latest CD entitled Looking Back is a retrospective of the music the band has performed.

Known as America’s #1 Oktoberfest Show Band, “SPITZE!” is a German - American dance show band that features both the modern and traditional Alpine sounds of Europe along with some American favorites.  The band and its Alpine Folk Instruments (cow bells, alp horn and xylophone) have played the largest German festivals in the United States and Germany. SPITZE! latest CD is entitled, Alle Hande Hoch.

The Alex Meixner Band carries on a family tradition of music brought to the United States by Meixner’s great-grandfather.  Building upon his foundation of many years spent touring with his father in The Meixner Trio, Alex had developed a fresh musical voice that has made him one of the most exciting performers on the American polka scene.  His high-energy performances of everything from old time polkas and waltzes to a more jazz and pop-influenced repertoire have won over audiences throughout North America and continue to attract new fans.  Equally at home with traditional and contemporary styles, performances on about a dozen instruments (including the 12-foot long Swiss Alphorn and the trademark Meixner Button Box sound) and vocals in English, German, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech, the band’s reputation continues to grow.

The Adlers Band performs throughout the Northeast corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston playing at venues including the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey and the Bethlehem Musik Fest in Bethlehem, PA.  The Adlers’ song list and style has evolved over the years from playing traditional German Austrian music with a small amount of standards to including more popular music that all age groups can enjoy.

The Polka Family Band began back in the 1970's as a single-family group in Southern California, playing for relatives and small public gatherings.  Nearly every summer, the family would travel to Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania to visit the children's grandparents and other relatives.  They would play at small fairs while in the area, and on occasion see a "big time" polka band perform - one of which was none other than Happy Louie from Palmer, Massachusetts.  Louie's band would later prove to have a significant effect on the future musical sound of the Polka Family. The band’s latest release is entitled, More Cowbell. 

For a complete list of entertainers and times, please visit the festival's web site at: www.newportwaterfrontevents.com.