Annual 'Party in the Street' brought thousands to Chair City

Emilia Cardona, The Gardner News
Updated ·2 min read

The most anticipated citywide event of the year, Gardner Ale House Oktoberfest and Chair Luge race, brought hundreds of people from all across the Central Massachusetts region to celebrate the day-long party.

The 17th annual "party in the street" and 13th annual Chair Luge race was on Saturday, Sept. 30 on Parker Street. The race started at 2 p.m., with Brad Gallean as the luge race master of ceremonies, as he has for the last 12 years.

For many visitors, this day-long party is considered a one-of-a-kind experience, but for Greater Gardner locals, Oktoberfest and the race is a tradition they will not miss.

Templeton natives Alysha Bernard, Katie Connors and Deedee Courtemanche have been friends since middle school, and they have been coming to Oktoberfest and watching the chair race for many years.

"It's super entertaining and we love watching the luge, and drinking beer," Connors said. "This year it's really crowded, which is a good thing to see."

The Mean Green Machine team has won the chair luge race twice in a row. This was the second year that Tyler Dipasquale and Lucas Chevarie competed in the race. The duo won the first-place prize of $250 and the trophy.
The Mean Green Machine team has won the chair luge race twice in a row. This was the second year that Tyler Dipasquale and Lucas Chevarie competed in the race. The duo won the first-place prize of $250 and the trophy.

Chair Luge winner

Every year, the organizers at the Ale House pick a theme for the chair luge race and this year it was "Star Wars." Many racers dressed up as Star War characters, including Princess Leia and Chewbacca.

Thirteen teams competed in the downhill chair race for the first prize trophy and $250. The Mean Green Machine team participated in the race for the second year and their second time winning first place. The team consists of Tyler Dipasquale, the chair luge driver, and Lucas Chevarie, the chair luge pusher.

Kat Deal was the winner of the Oktoberfest women's stein-holding competition. She held the five-pound stein for two minutes and 15 seconds. "The most difficult part of the contest was holding my arm straight," she said.
Kat Deal was the winner of the Oktoberfest women's stein-holding competition. She held the five-pound stein for two minutes and 15 seconds. "The most difficult part of the contest was holding my arm straight," she said.

New corn hole games

Last year, Oktoberfest organizers added a new game, the beer stein holding competition, which was a hit among the partygoers. Now this year, a corn hole tournament was added to the list of games where monetary prizes can be won. 30 corn hold toss boards were lined up for the tournament and 15 toss boards were placed for social games.

32 teams participated in the tournament. The first-place prize is $400 and a miniature corn hole board that displays the title, "Gardner's Oktoberfest corn hole tournament champion."

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner's Oktoberfest and Chair Luge a great day for all