Oktoberfest is a tradition that started over 200 years ago when Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on 12th October 1810. Everyone in Munich was invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. Since then, this local German party has grown to a worldwide festival and even here on Bainbridge Island, Oktoberfest is given a place in Fall Festivities.

The Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Oktoberfest at the Treehouse Café in 2016 complete with a beer garden and the festive Hometown Band led by Bainbridge Island legend Jas Linford. Last year the location was moved to a large parking lot area near Eleven Winery on Day Road. This year, the party is conveniently coming closer to town and will be easier for visitors coming off the ferry to get to. It will be held this Saturday, September 29 at Waterfront Park from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. and the Hometown Band will be there again to get islanders and visitors dancing and getting in the spirit of Fall. There will be delicious bratwurst plates featuring Uli’s Famous Sausage, soft pretzels from D’Back German Bakery as well as kettle corn from Reigning Kettle Corn for your eating pleasure. Cold brew coffee will also be available. For fun, there will be Manuela Horn, Queen of Oktoberfest, also referred to as an Austrian Amazon, in addition to the Hometown Band. She has been featured at Bainbridge Island Oktoberfest since its inception and is sure to draw an enthusiastic crowd with her songs and antics.

Oktoberfest is known as the biggest beer drinking festival in the world so it wouldn’t be complete without our hometown brewery present with its variety of tasty brews. This year, BainbridgeBrewing will be pouring their best brews along with Rainy Daze Brewing Company and Silver CityBrewery. And for those of us who prefer wine to imbibe, Eleven Winery will do the honor of providing favorite local wines. As the cooler Autumn weather slowly settles in, come warm up with a fun celebration for all at our island’s annual Oktoberfest this Saturday at Waterfront Park.

After a full day of fun, you’ll be ready for somewhere comfortable to spend the remainder of the evening. Browse through the many wonderful accommodations offered by the Bainbridge Island Lodging Association, and find your perfect slice of the charmed life on Bainbridge Island.

By Guest Blogger Brenda James