Oktoberfest returns to Pottsville this weekend
Sep. 14—POTTSVILLE — Oktoberfest will return to the city Saturday for its third iteration, promising a day of food, beer, games and family-friendly entertainment.
The event, hosted by the Pottsville Business Association, will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Centre Street from Market to Laurel Boulevard.
As usual, there will be a Yuengling biergarten featuring a selection of beers, including its seasonal brew, Oktoberfest.
Inspired by the former Bavarian Summer Festival at Lakewood Park — which was itself modeled after the annual Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany — Pottsville's event will continue its German theme and will feature a performance from a German band called Good Times Live.
Based in Media, Good Times Live specializes in German Oompah, a style of music similar to polka.
There will also be a DJ, Ross Campanella, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Although rain put a damper on last year's attendance, this year's event will be helped by more favorable weather conditions, with clear, sunny skies forecast for Saturday.
"Last year was a washout — it was rainy and cold," said Lisa Gillespie, event co-chair. "We'll have nice, sunny, warm weather."
Also featured at the event will be King Cole Winery, Schuylkill Haven, as well as a selection of about two dozen craft and food vendors, serving fare ranging from pierogies to french fries.
Patrons are invited to take part in four contests throughout the day: yodeling, costumes, polka and beer-holding. Winners will be awarded prizes of vintage beer steins with gift certificates from local businesses.
There will also be free children's activities, including pumpkin-painting, chalk art and yard games.
Gillespie hopes the event will draw visitors from Reading & Northern Railroad's train excursion Saturday from Reading to Pottsville.
"People have been looking forward to the event, so I'm hoping it's a good turnout," she said. "We have a lot of volunteers, and really good vendors."
Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085
