Celebrate Oktoberfest!

Festival honoring German culture returns to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

Do you think you have the muscle and strength it takes to hold a filled, 64-oz. pitcher of beer with the roar of the Oktoberfest crowd behind you? The Strong Man (Woman) Event Okto-Beer Pitcher Holding Contest is one of the new events at this year’s PA Oktoberfest. This feature joins the wildly popular Wiener Dog Races, live, authentic German music and many fine German beers and bratwurst.
PA Oktoberfest will deliver all of the German goods to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs this weekend with festivities kicking off at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14 and continuing Saturday and Sunday.
Following in the tradition of Munich’s Oktoberfest, thousands are expected to return to the second annual PA Oktoberfest to take part in the festivities under 50,000 square feet of tents at the race track. With last year’s festival far surpassing all expectations, organizers of PA Oktoberfest are looking to go bigger and better this year.
“Last year, we were hoping to see about 10,000 folks show up but somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 folks attended over the course of the weekend,” said Tim Holmes, Times-Shamrock regional director of marketing and events. “Most importantly, everyone had a blast! We went into the planning stages with the hopes of building this into a nationally recognized event over the course of five years. We did that in the first year.”
Organizers of Pa Oktoberfest aren’t changing their initial vision of bringing a little bit of Munich to The 570, but attendees can expect to see a lot more of everything. “More tents, more parking, more food vendors, more wiener dog races, more bartenders, more beer selections, and more entertainment joining us from Germany and Austria,” Holmes said. “There is just a whole lot more.”
Guests will have the chance to sample more than 50 brews, including Yuengling Oktoberfest, Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest, Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Hofbrau Dunkel, ShawneeCraft Oktoberfest and Dogfish Head Punkin’ Ale, just to name a few. (Be sure to check out the complete list of brews at www.paoktoberfest.com).
And you’ll be able to pair all that fine beer with a host of delicious fare, including bratwurst, krainerwurst, bauernwurst, wiener schnitzel, strudel and more authentic German tastes. Local favorites will also be available, such as pizza, wings, potato pancakes, pierogies and more.
Featuring a constant stream of entertainment all weekend long, PA Oktoberfest offers a diverse line-up of international and national performers. Back to perform for her second year, German singer Romy will be among those taking the stage. The 22-year-old is no stranger to the stage, performing since she was 6 years old and appearing at many festivals throughout Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary and the U.S. “I’m really glad that I was invited again to PA Oktoberfest,” Romy said. “It was a great experience for me last year; a really unbelievable festival. I hope guests of PA Oktoberfest will be excited about my show again. I will bring all the songs with me that I sing at the Oktoberfest in Munich.”
Romy not only enjoys performing at these worldwide events, but she looks forward to being part of a lively bunch, celebrating life and making new memories. “Oktoberfest is a huge party where everybody is happy to be there and to be part of a big family,” she said. “You meet new people and have a good time together. You can dance, sing, laugh and try new things to eat.”
Additional highlights of the event will be performances by Guat Druaf and Yasmine-Melanie (Austria), the HSV Bavaria Dancers, Joe Stanky and the Cadets and John Stanky and the Coalminers and MC Mike Killmer.
The Wiener Dog Races make their triumphant return this year with the more than 100 dachshunds registered to race in competitions on Friday at 6 and 9 p.m., Saturday at 12, 3, 6 and 9 p.m. and Sunday at 12 and 3 p.m. All races will be held in front of the video board and Oktoberfest guests are invited to watch the excitement and root for their favorite dogs.
Put on your lederhosen, grab a tasty bier and schnitzel, and get ready to celebrate the good life this weekend at PA Oktoberfest.
— tom graham

Tickets are on sale now at www.paoktoberfest.com. The cost is $5 for a one-day pass and $10 for a weekend pass. Admission will be $6 at the door each day of the event. For more information, visit www.paoktoberfest.com.

Oktoberfest Schedule:

Wiener Dog Races:
Friday at 6 and 9 p.m.
Saturday at 12, 3, 6, 9 p.m.
Sunday at 12 and 3 p.m.

The Strong Man (Woman) Event Okto-Beer Pitcher Holding Contest:
Friday at 8 p.m.
Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m.
Sunday at 4 p.m.

Entertainment:
Friday:
5–5:45 p.m.— Guat Drauf
5:45–6 p.m.— HSV Bavaria
6–6:45 p.m. — Joe Stanky & The Cadets
6:45–7 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
7–7:45 p.m. — Yasmine-Melanie
7:45–8:15 p.m. — Joe Maloy
8:15–9 p.m. — Romy
9–9:45 p.m. — The Adlers
9:45–10 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
10–11 p.m. — Guat Drauf

Saturday:
12–12:45 p.m. — Guat Drauf
12:45– 1:30 p.m. — Yasmine Melanie
1:30–2:15 p.m. — Romy
2:15–2:30 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
2:30-3:30 p.m. — John Stanky & The Coalminers
3:30–4 p.m.— Joe Maloy
4–4:15 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
4:15–5 p.m. — John Stanky & The Coalminers
5–5:15 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
5:15–6:15 p.m. — Adlers
6:15–7 p.m. — Yasmine Melanie
7–7:45 p.m. — Guat Drauf
7:45–8 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
8–8:45 p.m. — Romy
9–9:45 p.m. — Guat Drauf
9:45–10 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
10–11 p.m. — The Adlers

Sunday:
12–1 p.m. — Guat Drauf
1–1:15 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
1:15–2 p.m. — Adlers
2–2:30 p.m. — Joe Maloy
2:30–3:15 p.m. — Romy
3:15–4 p.m. — Yasmine Melanie
4–4:15 p.m. — HSV Bavaria
4:15–5 p.m. — The Adlers