4th annual Sprankle’s Octoberfest to offer German-themed fun this weekend
While the usual beer, food, music and activities will be available at the expanded 4th annual Sprankle’s Octoberfest this weekend, a very serious ritual will officially open the event: the keg-tapping ceremony.
The “oompahs” and “oofdahs” will once again ring out this weekend, as the Sprankle’s Octoberfest will be held at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department grounds.
Admission is free, and two free shuttles will allow parking at Lernerville Speedway.
The Octoberfest will kick off on Thursday evening with a party at the Hotel Saxonburg before and after the Octoberfest Parade at 7 p.m.
The parade also will serve as the kickoff for Saxonburg Festival of the Arts, which will be held this weekend throughout the borough.
Brittany Lambermont, event coordinator for Sprankle’s Octoberfest, said two bands, Polkameisters and Shotskis, will perform both Friday evening and Saturday.
Bavarian dancers from Millvale will take the dance floor for the first time under the main tent at the fire department grounds on Friday night, and will perform throughout the weekend, Lambermont said.
The event will open again at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and will feature the Octoberfest’s first stein-holding competition.
Lambermont explained that male and female competitors will hold a one-liter beer stein containing liquid to equal a total of five pounds in front of their bodies for as long as they are able.
Winners in both the male and female categories will win $500 and the opportunity to compete in the state championships in October in Bethlehem, Pa.
Sprankle’s Facebook-famous meat department manager, Mike the Meat Man, will be available on Saturday for a meet-and-greet.
Sunday will feature a Weiner Dog Race and Costume Contest, where local owners of the short-legged German breed can show off their furry charges.
Sign-up for either canine contest is available at spranklesoctoberfest.com or on the day of the events.
A “Polka Mass,” Sunday brunch and 9/11 memorial also will be held on Sunday.
Lambermont said more games and activities will greet children in Kinderland, including a Nerf gun range where youths can win prizes for their foam-missile prowess.
Cornhole tournaments will be held throughout the weekend for those with — or without — exemplary beanbag-tossing accuracy.
Fifty craft and 15 food vendors will dot the Octoberfest to provide early holiday shopping and tasty morsels to those in attendance.
Regarding the highlight of Octoberfests worldwide, Lambermont said in addition to the Warsteiner beer served last year, Conny Creek Brewing will offer craft concoctions and Iron City, an Octoberfest sponsor, will serve Iron City, IC Light and Old German brew.
Some 20 nonprofit organizations will set up booths at the Octoberfest, including many sports and activity boosters from the Knoch School District.
Lambermont said some nonprofit booths will host games and activities for adults and children.
“It’s going to be the biggest party Saxonburg has ever seen,” she said. “We continue to make it bigger and better every year, so we are hoping people will come out and enjoy the weekend with us.”
Doug Sprankle said sponsorships allowed coordinators to eschew admission, which was charged last year.
He said no one has an excuse to skip the Sprankle’s Octoberfest this weekend.
“It’s so good to see the community come together in Saxonburg,” he said.
