Top of the Bay Oktoberfest

Set for the weekend of October 18-20 at Tampa Bay Downs – to

provide a bigger and better celebration with acres of FREE parking –

Oktoberfest brings the best of Old Bavaria and new Florida together for three

full days of authentic German food, drink, music and dancing ... along with a

spectacular carnival & midway, a great arts & crafts show.



Something for everyone at Oktoberfest



Oldsmar and Upper Tampa Bay’s version of this German

tradition is both the largest and the longest-running Oktoberfest in West

Central Florida, attracting more than 20,000 people from 16 Florida counties

and more distant locations.


Some come for the music, the singing and dancing, others for

the great German sausage, the Hofbrauhaus chicken, the great selection of beer vom

Fass (straight from the tap) and Rhein wine.  




Teens love the thrill of the carnival and midway; the young

ones can't wait to have their faces painted and dance the “Chicken Dance.”  




No matter your age, your interests or attitude, you're sure

to find something to your liking at the Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest!



Oom-Pah music to beat the band

A trio of top-notch Oom-pah bands will entertain the troops

at this year's event, beginning on Friday night with Europa. Orlando –based

Europa is a perennial Oktoberfest favorite and tours nationally.  Saturday morning we will feature one of the

top German bands in the South ... Joe Oberaitus & Oktoberfest Express.  Joe and the boys are one of the "house

bands" at EPCOT's German Village at Walt Disney World.

Finishing out the weekend we once again bring you the Alex

Meixner Band.  Alex also tours nationally

and is a Grammy nominated musician and producer.  Alex plays a host of instruments and watching

him on the accordion and trumpet simultaneously is a real treat.  He also features an Alpenhorn which is really

a favorite of the kids.  We can guarantee

you that will not find a more energetic, lively and just plain fun band this

side of Munchen!  He plays an

unbelievable mix of classic and contemporary Fest Musik and some original

arrangements that will you leave clamoring for more!  





In another tradition, the Top o’ the Bay Oktoberfest will

feature performances by three different German folk dancing troupes ... including a group from little ‘ol Oldsmar! 



It’s your turn – get into the act!



All weekend long, you're invited to get "into the

act" by participating in one of the hourly contests on (and around) the

Main Stage.  Just sign-up for any of our

events when we call the Macho Men and Fearless Frauleins to take part in our

contests of strength, endurance and sheer determination.  This includes:

Stein-Holding

Log Sawing

Keg Tossing

Barrel Rolling

Oktoberfest hours are 5-11pm on Friday Oct. 18, 11am to 11pm

on Saturday Oct. 19, and Noon-7pm on Sunday Oct. 20.




For more information, call the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of

Commerce at (813) 855-4233, or check out our website at www.oktoberfesttampabay.com