Jackson to hold first Oktoberfest

You won't have to be of German heritage to enjoy the first Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest, but it couldn't hurt.

"If people want to wear German attire with lederhosen, we encourage that," said Lisa Walker, Oktoberfest chairwoman. "It will only make things more fun."

The Oktoberfest celebration, scheduled from noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 12, will be at the courthouse square in uptown Jackson. While lederhosen is optional, Walker said the event will be fun for the whole family and will serve as a good way for the community to come together.

"Jackson and the surrounding area has a lot of German heritage," she said. "They might have been looking for some of their own culture and heritage from the town, and now they're going to have that."

According to Walker, Oktoberfest will present many aspects of the German tradition, including food stands with treats such as bratwursts, sauerkraut and pretzels. A "biergarten," or beer garden, will be offering seasonal craft beers and a package that will include a souvenir stein and three beers for $10. The celebration will also feature a dachshund parade at 2 p.m., where not only dachshunds but all breeds of dogs are welcome to parade with their owners in style.

"We're asking that owners dress their dogs in a costume," Walker said. "There will be a prize for best costume that's a gift basket filled with dog treats."

Oktoberfest also will have a variety of nontraditional events, including a farmers market and an arts and crafts show from noon to 5 p.m. The judging of the apple pie baking contest is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the Cruisin' Uptown Jackson car show will be presented from 6 to 9 p.m. Live music will be offered throughout the event, with the Polka Kings kicking things off from noon to 3 p.m. followed by Tungsten Groove from 3 to 6 p.m. Old School Hype will perform from 7 to 9 p.m.

Oktoberfest is being presented by the Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization, a group whose primary purpose is to promote uptown Jackson.

"We decided we wanted to have more events to keep uptown relevant," Walker said. "A lot of small towns have some kind of fall event, and we thought we should have one, too."

The idea of having an Oktoberfest celebration in Jackson gained the support of city officials, including Mayor Barbara Lohr.

"I think it's something we should have," Lohr said. "It's going to be a lively celebration with the opportunity for people to have fun and visit with one another. There's going to be plenty of things going on."

The celebration is also expected to provide a bump in income for uptown Jackson businesses.

"Anytime you have an uptown festival, it's going to be a draw," said Brian Gerau, director of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce. "It can only help the local businesses open during the event. We're really looking forward to it."

For more information on the Uptown Jackson Oktoberfest, visit the Oktoberfest Facebook page or contact Walker at 243-9040.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO