The Medford Business Association’s annual Oktoberfest and Music Festival will be held at Freedom Park from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, and 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.
The family-friendly festival brings thousands of visitors together to celebrate the first weekend Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, and around the world. It will feature music and entertainment, a beer garden, food trucks, a business and vendor expo, kids’ activities and contests.
Contests include the popular Bavarian Steinholding competition, sponsored by King’s Road Brewing Company in Haddonfield and sanctioned by the U.S. Steinholding Association. One man and one woman will qualify to advance to the state finals in October at the Feed Mill in Medford.
Magnify Brewing Company’s Bratwurst Eating Contest will also return on Saturday and Lower Forge Brewery will present a trivia contest for prizes from the Medford brewery. There will also be a cornhole tournament.
Children of all ages are welcome to attend both days. There will be a kids’ zone with crafts and activities for toddlers through pre-teens curated by Medford’s Pineland Arts Center. Mini golf is a new addition.
The Quaker City String Band will make its Oktoberfest debut at the event. It will be joined by Adventure Lost; Seems Like Tuesday; Project Philly (a capella); the Brass Ensemble from the South Jersey Pops; and Mekkilyn, with special guest Bob Egan.
The Oktoberfest is free and there will be free parking and a shuttle bus available at the Medford Center, Sharps Run Plaza parking lot on Route 70, the gazebo and Main Street at Medford Village, Union Street and Freedom Park.
The event was established in 2009 and is sponsored by King’s Road Brewing Company and Zallie Family Markets. For more information, visit www.medfordbusiness.org or www.medfordoktoberfest.com.
