Oktoberfest is Coming!

The community is invited to join The Frau Kemmling Schoolhaus Brewhaus on the Bigham Knoll Campus in Jacksonville for the 5th-annual Oktoberfest Celebration on September 29th from noon-midnight.

Entrance is free to the public, with traditional German food and specialty Oktoberfest beers available for purchase.  The menu features a selection of brats, sauerkraut, potato salad, chicken skewers, giant pretzels, and pit-roasted pork sandwiches for $5-10. Live music will be playing throughout the day. On-site, you can pick-up a complete schedule of events with all times and activity locations.

All ages are welcome to join the fun until 8:00 pm. Then, from 8:00 pm-midnight, attendees must be 21+.  The Frankie Hernandez Band will finish-out the day in the ballroom from 8:00 pm-midnight.

On Friday, September 28 at noon, come and preview the traditional roasting of the pig, including a ceremonial lowering of the pigs in the ground on the lower athletic field.

Saturday’s festivities kick-off with a pre-festival 5(k) run at 8:00 am. At noon, Opening  Ceremonies commence with Jacksonville Mayor Paul Becker “tapping the keg” in ceremonial Bavarian-style.

Brat-Eating Contest

Beer fans take note: demonstrations by Grains, Beans & Things showcasing brewing methods for German beers using a 500 year-old recipe will be offered. Back by popular demand, the Old School bus will take attendees on riding tours of the old brew houses of Jacksonville leaving at the top of the hour from 1-6 pm.  And, don’t miss the beer sensory classes at 1 & 3.

For music and dance fans: Michelle Boddiker-Scheffler, renowned accordionist and the Bighorns Band begin at 12:15 pm, followed by The Sauerkrauts German Band from 3:30-7:30, leading  revelers in the Chicken Dance and other traditional German songs.

More fun activities include: a yodeling contest,  Brat eating contests (benefiting the Jacksonville Fire Department), stein holding contests, a  “best German costume” contest, cooking demonstrations by Frau Kemmling chefs, German song lessons and Bigham Knoll’s “cow train” rides for the kids from 12:30-5:30.

View the entire Oktoberfest schedule below, or call the Frau Kemmling Schoolhaus Brewhaus 541 899-1000.

 Oktoberfest 2012 Schedule of Events

 Friday, September 28th

Noon-Roasting of the Ceremonial Pig(s) (athletic field)

Saturday, September 29th

Pre-festival 1st Annual Laufin Laupin 5(k) Run 8:00

Opening Ceremonies: Noon-12:20 Mayor of Jacksonville traditional tapping of the Keg.  Crowning of King Olaf and Queen Olga  (Stein Club Reign for 2012) (platform)

Food and beverage sales Noon-8pm (outside)

Food and beverage sales 8pm-Midnight (Ballroom)

Children’s cow train rides:  12:30–5:30

Sauerkrauts Band and Orchestra 3:30-7:30 (main tent)

Yodeling contest: 5:15 (main tent)

Selling the Oktoberfest Steins

All Stein Club Member recognition toast on the hour 1:00-8:00  (Ziggie Zaggie Ziggie Zaggie Hoi Hoi Hoi) (all campus)

JFD Benefit Brat eating contest(s):  12:30 brats and broccoli (ages 3-8)  table one, and  (ages 9-13) table two, 2:30 (women only)  3:00 (men only) 6:15 (open) (main tent)

Beer sensory class:  1:00,  3:00 (Schoolhaus  bar)

Stein holding contest: 1:30 (women only) 1:45 (men only) 7:30 (open)  (platform)

Chicken Dance Promenade:  4:05, 5:05 7:20

Best German costume contest 3:15 (platform)

Old School Bus “Beer Wars” tours 1:00-7:00

Old German Beer making demonstrations 12:30-2:30, 6:30-8:00 (TBD)

Cooking demonstration by Chef Maggie 1:00, 4:00, 6:30 (Ballroom)

German song lessons 1:30, 4:15 (Ballroom)

After party Food, beverage and band 8pm-Midnight Frankie Hernandez Band (Ballroom)