Over in Munich, the 189th Oktoberfest has been going on since Sept. 21 and will wrap up this Sunday, Oct. 6. Here in Milwaukee, the fourth Oktoberfest held at Cathedral Square Park is just about to begin and will … still wrap up Oct. 6.
While this particular Milwaukee version of the longstanding German festival doesn’t last quite as long, it does have a fair amount stuffed between 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, and the closing of the grounds at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
The first thing that jumps out about this year’s schedule is the competitive aspect of what’s traditionally a jovial get-together. People and will go head-to-head to determine who is the best stein-hoister (7 p.m. Friday), brat-eater (2:30 p.m. Friday) and Corhole-player (noon Sunday), plus a group of what we can only assume are expert judges will pick Miss Oktoberfest (6:30 p.m. Saturday) and the pinnacle of wiener-dogdom (3 p.m. Sunday).
On top of the good-natured contests, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of musical acts featuring the far-too-underutilized accordion, traditional German dancing and a viewing party for Sunday’s Packer game.
Oh yes, also free beer at 4 p.m. Friday (while supplies last).
If you’re looking to up your Oktoberfest game, you’ve got two options. First, there’s the VIP Stein Package that includes a stein (duh), one fill of said stein with any draft beer and a lanyard for food-and-beverage discounts all weekend. The second and more supersized route is the German Party Package, which includes a 5-liter table keg of Hofbrau for you and five friends, plus a Milwaukee Pretzel Company … uh, pretzel.
You can find more information about both packages on the Milwaukee Oktoberfest website and check out the full schedule below.
Friday, Oct. 4
- 4 p.m. — Grounds open with free beer
- 4-7 p.m. — Carol and the Keynotes
- 7 p.m. — Stein-hoisting competition
- 7:30-10 p.m. — Copper Box
- 10 p.m. — Grounds close
Saturday, Oct. 5
- 11 a.m. — Grounds open
- 11-2 p.m. — Tally Ho Brass Band
- 2:30 p.m. — Usinger’s brat-eating competition
- 3 p.m. — German Dance Group
- 3:30-6:30 p.m. — Mike Schneider Band
- 6:30 p.m. — Miss Oktoberfest competition
- 7-10 p.m. — Polka Floyd
- 10 p.m. — Grounds close
Sunday, Oct. 6
- 11 a.m. — Grounds open
- Noon — Cornhole tournament begins
- Noon-3 p.m. — Alte Kammeraden
- 3 p.m. — Wiener-dog beauty pageant
- 3:25 p.m. — Packers vs. Rams
- 6:30 p.m. — Grounds close
