The 20th anniversary of the festival runs from 4-11 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday and from noon-8 p.m. on Sunday.
Signature activities will include lederhosen and dirndl costume contests, a stein hoisting contest ,and the annual wiener dog race—in which 70 dogs are expected to race.
Live entertainment will be featured on three stages continuously throughout the festival, with headlining band The Molly Ringwalds.
“We’ve got a very family-friendly event that will also be very fun,” Southlake Oktoberfest chair Ian MacLean said. “What I’m hoping we’ll see is that everyone who was cooped up last year will have a stellar time. We have the best Oktoberfest that we’ve ever thrown teed up, so we’re poised to show everyone a great time.”
With arts and crafts booths from local vendors, food available for purchase, live entertainment, and a children’s area, organizers are anticipating around 100,000 attendees.
“We have lots of businesses involved in the event—a big part of the event is helping small businesses to get noticed and establish brand recognition to grow their customer portfolio,” MacLean said. “It’s a business-building event disguised as a very fun Oktoberfest.”
MacLean said the event being moved to the third weekend of the month from the historic first weekend dates improves the festival’s quality.
“It’s enabled us to get more bands and musicians, and new and exciting food vendors,” MacLean said. “We have a more robust German beer and food offering than we’ve ever had.”
Although there is no charge for admission, tickets will be required to purchase food and drinks, which include authentic German options. These are purchasable at four ticket booths located in the square.
In addition to available parking in the square’s parking garages, a shuttle service will be available from White’s Chapel United Methodist Church. For more information, visit www.southlakechamber.org/oktoberfest/.
