Almost Time For Oktoberfest!
October is almost here which means it’s time for the City of Newberry’s annual Oktoberfest event in downtown Newberry! Indulge in authentic German cuisine, music and arts and crafts vendors right in the heart of downtown!
This year’s event will take place throughout the weekend, starting on Friday, October 3, from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy German brews and bites and starting at 6 p.m., live music featuring Prettier than Matt on the main stage at the corner of Main and Nance Streets downtown.
A few food vendors will be set up to sell on Friday evening, in addition to German beer sold by MadMax Taphouse on Main Street.
“While last year’s schedule shifted due to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, we’re excited to bring back the Oktoberfest kickoff on Friday night,” said Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Collin Shealy.
Saturday, October 4 will continue with the full traditional festival from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Shealy said more than 20 food and snack vendors will be participating this year, with a good variety for all to enjoy.
While the majority of savory food vendors will be located in the food court surrounding Community Hall, there are once again snack vendors located in the Kinderfest Zone within the Newberry County Courthouse parking lot.
Traveling from the upper end of Main Street, the event area begins with Community Corner which includes 16 different groups such as churches, non-profits, civic organizations and more.
In addition to Community Corner, Newberry County Animal Care and Control will house pet adoptions in the parking lot of Livingston’s Service Station. Pet adoptions are first come, first served for those interested in potentially adopting a pet.
For fans of arts and crafts, there will be 36 different vendors lining Main Street during this year’s Oktoberfest, selling a variety of items, all handmade or homemade. Shealy said items in this section range from jewelry, candles, home décor, wood carvings and more.
Headed towards the Kinderfest Zone, located on Boyce Street will be the Artist Alley, reserved for the Newberry Made community. This section will feature local artisans and crafters that are members of Newberry Made.
Kinderfest Zone
For kids of all ages, this year’s Kinderfest Zone sponsored by Newberry Health can be found within the Newberry County Courthouse parking lot.
Located here, patrons will find familiar favorites such as a rock climbing wall, video game truck and more. Back this year, Shealy said are the carousel rides, which are a crowd favorite.
This year, in place of the bungee trampoline will be a Berry Go Round for families to enjoy.
Newberry Health will also be in this area along with vendors selling a variety of items geared towards children and children’s gifts.
Just outside of the Kinderfest Zone, is where you’ll find a first aid station and fire safety materials located at the corner of Boyce and College Streets. An additional first aid station will be located on McKibben Street in front of the Edward Kyzer Newberry Firehouse Conference Center and you’ll find members of both the Newberry Police and Fire Departments in this area.
For those that need assistance throughout the event, whether it be a lost item, child, or first aid, you’ll find them in this area.
This year’s Oktoberfest event has five official alcohol vendors. Familiar biergartens can be found in front of Community Hall downtown as well as the charitable biergarten operated by the Newberry Jaycees in Memorial Park.
MadMax Taphouse will also be serving alcohol on Main Street and alcohol will be served inside of the Newberry Opera House, giving many options for patrons.
Further down Main Street, The Mobile Mix will also be set up with a German beer selection at the corner of Main and Lindsay Streets.
Visitors are encouraged to check out the Newberry Arts Center at 1200 Main Street to see artwork by local potters, photographers, painters, jewelry makers and more. The arts center will also have Earnest Lee, also known as “The Chicken Man,” back this year to paint with children.
Heading back towards Memorial Park, the event ATM will be set up for those needing cash. While some of Oktoberfest’s vendors will be able to accept card payments, a lot will be cash only.
Entertainment and More
The free, live music stage, sponsored by Newberry College, will have entertainment all day in Memorial Park starting at 10 a.m. with the 282D Army Band performing a variety of music.
Starting at 11:00, Riverstone will take the stage, followed by the Traditional German dress contest at 12:30 p.m.
The judging will occur for the traditional German dress contest in three categories – Women’s Traditional Dress, Men’s Traditional Dress, and children (up to age 16). There will be no fee to enter. Visitors are invited to meet at the stage during this time and judging will be based on applause from the audience.
Following the contest, Ryan Trotti will perform with a variety of country music, with the stage ending with a performance by Radio Source until 5:45 p.m.
Housekeeping Rules
A full map of the event area is available at newberryoktoberfest.com which includes areas for free parking available to visitors.
Those who live and frequent the downtown area should expect street closures beginning at approximately 12 p.m. Friday (signs will be posted on Main St) and continuing in sections throughout the day and into Saturday.
There are many free parking areas surrounding the event area including Friend Street, Harrington Street and spots at the Newberry County Library. Accessible parking is available on Harrington Street at the old Newberry College wrestling building.
Golf carts are subject to the exact same laws and regulations as regular vehicles, and they cannot drive through the event or be parked on sidewalks or side streets leading into the festival area. Barricades also must remain unblocked in the event of an emergency and vehicles, nor golf carts should be parked there.
There will be portable restrooms within the event area and those are marked on the map. The Newberry Opera House will also be opening their doors for restrooms for visitors.
While there will be pet adoptions ongoing throughout the event, patrons are asked to please leave their pets at home for the safety of event patrons and due to the high volume of foot traffic. However, service animals are allowed.
For more information on all things Newberry Oktoberfest, visit www.newberryoktoberfest.com.
October is almost here which means it’s time for the City of Newberry’s annual Oktoberfest event in downtown Newberry! Indulge in authentic German cuisine, music and arts and crafts vendors right in the heart of downtown!
This year’s event will take place throughout the weekend, starting on Friday, October 3, from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy German brews and bites and starting at 6 p.m., live music featuring Prettier than Matt on the main stage at the corner of Main and Nance Streets downtown.
A few food vendors will be set up to sell on Friday evening, in addition to German beer sold by MadMax Taphouse on Main Street.
“While last year’s schedule shifted due to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, we’re excited to bring back the Oktoberfest kickoff on Friday night,” said Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Collin Shealy.
Saturday, October 4 will continue with the full traditional festival from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Shealy said more than 20 food and snack vendors will be participating this year, with a good variety for all to enjoy.
While the majority of savory food vendors will be located in the food court surrounding Community Hall, there are once again snack vendors located in the Kinderfest Zone within the Newberry County Courthouse parking lot.
Traveling from the upper end of Main Street, the event area begins with Community Corner which includes 16 different groups such as churches, non-profits, civic organizations and more.
In addition to Community Corner, Newberry County Animal Care and Control will house pet adoptions in the parking lot of Livingston’s Service Station. Pet adoptions are first come, first served for those interested in potentially adopting a pet.
For fans of arts and crafts, there will be 36 different vendors lining Main Street during this year’s Oktoberfest, selling a variety of items, all handmade or homemade. Shealy said items in this section range from jewelry, candles, home décor, wood carvings and more.
Headed towards the Kinderfest Zone, located on Boyce Street will be the Artist Alley, reserved for the Newberry Made community. This section will feature local artisans and crafters that are members of Newberry Made.
Kinderfest Zone
For kids of all ages, this year’s Kinderfest Zone sponsored by Newberry Health can be found within the Newberry County Courthouse parking lot.
Located here, patrons will find familiar favorites such as a rock climbing wall, video game truck and more. Back this year, Shealy said are the carousel rides, which are a crowd favorite.
This year, in place of the bungee trampoline will be a Berry Go Round for families to enjoy.
Newberry Health will also be in this area along with vendors selling a variety of items geared towards children and children’s gifts.
Just outside of the Kinderfest Zone, is where you’ll find a first aid station and fire safety materials located at the corner of Boyce and College Streets. An additional first aid station will be located on McKibben Street in front of the Edward Kyzer Newberry Firehouse Conference Center and you’ll find members of both the Newberry Police and Fire Departments in this area.
For those that need assistance throughout the event, whether it be a lost item, child, or first aid, you’ll find them in this area.
This year’s Oktoberfest event has five official alcohol vendors. Familiar biergartens can be found in front of Community Hall downtown as well as the charitable biergarten operated by the Newberry Jaycees in Memorial Park.
MadMax Taphouse will also be serving alcohol on Main Street and alcohol will be served inside of the Newberry Opera House, giving many options for patrons.
Further down Main Street, The Mobile Mix will also be set up with a German beer selection at the corner of Main and Lindsay Streets.
Visitors are encouraged to check out the Newberry Arts Center at 1200 Main Street to see artwork by local potters, photographers, painters, jewelry makers and more. The arts center will also have Earnest Lee, also known as “The Chicken Man,” back this year to paint with children.
Heading back towards Memorial Park, the event ATM will be set up for those needing cash. While some of Oktoberfest’s vendors will be able to accept card payments, a lot will be cash only.
Entertainment and More
The free, live music stage, sponsored by Newberry College, will have entertainment all day in Memorial Park starting at 10 a.m. with the 282D Army Band performing a variety of music.
Starting at 11:00, Riverstone will take the stage, followed by the Traditional German dress contest at 12:30 p.m.
The judging will occur for the traditional German dress contest in three categories – Women’s Traditional Dress, Men’s Traditional Dress, and children (up to age 16). There will be no fee to enter. Visitors are invited to meet at the stage during this time and judging will be based on applause from the audience.
Following the contest, Ryan Trotti will perform with a variety of country music, with the stage ending with a performance by Radio Source until 5:45 p.m.
Housekeeping Rules
A full map of the event area is available at newberryoktoberfest.com which includes areas for free parking available to visitors.
Those who live and frequent the downtown area should expect street closures beginning at approximately 12 p.m. Friday (signs will be posted on Main St) and continuing in sections throughout the day and into Saturday.
There are many free parking areas surrounding the event area including Friend Street, Harrington Street and spots at the Newberry County Library. Accessible parking is available on Harrington Street at the old Newberry College wrestling building.
Golf carts are subject to the exact same laws and regulations as regular vehicles, and they cannot drive through the event or be parked on sidewalks or side streets leading into the festival area. Barricades also must remain unblocked in the event of an emergency and vehicles, nor golf carts should be parked there.
There will be portable restrooms within the event area and those are marked on the map. The Newberry Opera House will also be opening their doors for restrooms for visitors.
While there will be pet adoptions ongoing throughout the event, patrons are asked to please leave their pets at home for the safety of event patrons and due to the high volume of foot traffic. However, service animals are allowed.
For more information on all things Newberry Oktoberfest, visit www.newberryoktoberfest.com.
