Prost! It’s Oktoberfest season in Wichita, and lots of beer-and-brat parties are planned
It’s Oktober, at least in Germany.
In Wichita, it’s October, but lots of bars and restaurants will be celebrating German-style with Oktoberfest parties this month (even though Germany typically celebrates in September, but that’s another story.)
One of the biggies — the annual three-day Oktoberfest party at Wichita’s only German restaurant, Prost at 2721 E. Central — starts Thursday and runs through Saturday.
But several other Oktoberfest events are also coming up. Here’s a list that will help you properly plan your Oktober partying:
Oktoberfest at Prost
5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7, Prost, 2721 E. Central
This popular Wichita German restaurant is putting on its fifth annual Oktoberfest party, which will run over three days starting this Thursday, Oct. 5. The event will officially kick off at 6 p.m. with a ceremonial “keg tap,” and Prost has invited me to do the tapping honors. Let’s hope it’s easier (and less startling) than popping the cork on a champagne bottle, something I’ve never mastered.
The party runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7. It will feature food, German beer, games, a stein-holding contest and live polka music plus a couple of unusual eating contests, including one where contestants must devour a bowl of pretzels with nothing to drink then attempt to blow a whistle with their very dry mouths. There will also be a sauerkraut eating contest and a “wiener toss.”
Prost won’t be serving its regular menu, but the restaurant will be offering a menu of easy-to-carry German specialties like brats, pretzels, pickles on a stick, homemade kettle chips and funnel fries. The restaurant will also have three authentic German beers on tap, and people who have lederhosen and dirndl are encouraged to wear them.
An event pass good for all three days is $45, a two-day pass is $40, and a one-day pass is $35. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com
Oktoberfest at Blessed Sacrament Church
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept, 30, Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 125 N. Quentin
This church is bringing back its big Oktoberfest party, which includes authentic German food and beer for sale plus live music from The Fabulous Shirtheads, the Bloomin’ Idiots, Zach Shoffner and more. Inflatables for kids also will be set up, and wristbands to bounce will be $10 at the door. The event will also include an Oktoberfest costume contest with a $100 cash prize. Admission is free until 6 p.m., and then it’s $5. Non church members are welcome.
Two Brothers Oktoberfest
1-9 p.m. Oct. 7, Two Brothers, 6730 W. Central
This barbecue restaurant is putting on an Oktoberfest party that will include a special selection of Oktoberfest beers on tap, including Yuengling Oktoberfest, Hofbrau Oktoberfest Prost Marzen and more. It’ll also serve Oktoberfest-themed food such as pretzels, bratwurst, pork schnitzel and spaetzle. People wearing Oktoberfest outfits will get prizes. Admission is free.
ICT Bloktoberfest
Oct. 13-14, Naftzger Park
Xclusive Events and Sledgehammer Creative are bringing its big Oktoberfest party back for 2023. The two-day party, which happens Oct. 13-14 at Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas, will include food, beer, games, wiener dog races, food eating contest and a “dad bod” contest. The event, the group’s eighth annual, will start Oct. 13 with a Beer Fest featuring a long list of beers to sample. It requires a ticket that’s $60 in advance (or $100 for VIP early entry.) Admission on Oct. 14 is free, and attendees will be able to eat at food trucks, shop at vendor booths and participate in a long list of contests. The Llew Brown Band will perform that day from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.. For Beer Fest tickets and more information, visit ictbloktoberfest.com
