While most Oktoberfest celebrations take place in late September or early October, it’s easy to miss the window if you’re not prepared. If you weren’t able to make it out, or feel like you need one more fall celebration to hold you over until next year, the Baggataway Tavern, one of the best bars the ‘burbs has to offer, has your back. On Saturday, October 27th, the Bagg, as it is affectionately known, will be hosting their Oktimberfest, a fall celebration to help pave the way for winter.
Oktimberfest, which will take place from 3:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. outside under a heated tent—and then move inside until the bar closes—will have plenty of offer throughout the day to keep you warm in the cooler temperatures. While the bar inside will be serving a limited menu (alongside their usual quality selection of craft beer), the outside will be serving up bratwurst and burgers and feature a dessert table with freshly baked goods.
The beer selection outside will be no slouch, either, offering the likes of Victory, Great Lakes and Sam Adams in addition to Newcastle and Coors for the less adventurous. All this will be backed by three musical acts: The Boatloads, New Pony, and Chico of Chico’s Vibe. And if that still wasn’t enough to entice you to join the Baggataway for Oktimberfest, there will also be a costume contest with prizes, as well as raffles throughout the day. It will truly be a one-stop shop for a little autumn excitement, especially if their annual Derby de Mayo is any indication of the caliber event Oktimberfest will be.
“We’re really excited for this event,” says Baggataway co-owner Julie Keener. “We haven’t done a fall party for a few years and this will be the first time we’re able to feature craft beer outside.” Also worth mentioning is the fact that the event is being held as a celebration for a long-time employee who is battling cancer, so come out and show your support for the bar as well as their employees that continue to make it a place worth leaving the city for.
The event will be pay-as-you-go and the costume contest is not limited to German-themed garb, so go nuts with your costumes. The Baggataway has long been one of the few reasons I wouldn’t mind living in the suburbs, and their events are always a great time that simply aren’t worth missing.
Check out Ryan Hudak’s blog, In Search of Beer, for information about the author and his brew-infused journeys.
