In Phoenix, the month of October is a breath of brisk air for its residents as temperatures finally drop to cooler levels. And if the weather change is not a sign, the arrival of festivities certainly is, fondly known as Oktoberfest.
September 28th and 29th carry the weight of the Oktoberfest party yearly held at Fountain Hills. Entry fee is $5 per person but it’s free for those in Lederhosen or Dirndl outfits (for the best-dressed competition). Other competitions include a stein-holding contest and an Alphorn-blowing one, all with good German music and apple strudel pies.
On the 29th, there is another event, the 11th SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest, taking place at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, from 3pm to 11pm. Admission is pricier, at around $10 to $15 (VIP ones go as far as $125), but bands like The Peacemakers and Roger Clyne make it worthwhile as competitions and races keep the party below raving.
The next event, Peoria’s Old World Oktoberfest festival is to be held at the Centennial Plaza on 5th-6th October, from 5pm to 10pm. This is a more children-friendly area; fees are excluded for those under twenty-one. The highlight is the keg-tapping event at night and music from Die Echten Waldbuam.
The first Downtown Phoenix Oktoberfest is to occur on 6th October at CityScape development. Entry fee is $10-$15. People can join in the dancing while Polka music plays in the background. There are competitions (the usual ones with the inclusion of a beer maid costume one), and German-ish fare. The same day, a similar Oktoberfest event is to take place at the Wigwam resort from 6pm to 9pm. There won’t be beer maids but there will be a yodeling competition.
Looking for non-stop party for three days? From 12th-14th October, the Four Peaks festival is annually held at Tempe Town Lake and Beach Park. Although there is no entry charge, you need to pay for others like the $30 for carnivals as well as for German food and beer.
In-between is the Buckeye Oktoberfest on the 13th that will keep the 6th Street Plaza crowd busy from 9am to 2 pm. Another kid-friendly festival, the event holds many entertaining displays of cars, tractors and gems. There is also an arts-and-craft activity. Kids and adults are free to go anywhere but the mineral display charges $3 for the latters.
