#Breckenridge #Colorado
| Courtesy Breckenridge Tourism Office |
Summit Daily News Link
Oom-Pah-Pah season is in full swing, so get ready to raise your steins for a great big “Prost!”
The 2016 Breckenridge Oktoberfest is Friday, Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 11. Festivities open at 2 p.m. on Friday, wrapping up on Sunday at 5 p.m.
“Breckenridge’s Oktoberfest is the perfect mix of modern and traditional,” said Rachel Zerowin with the Breckenridge Tourism Office. “We’ve got Paulaner, one of only six brewers who serve at the original Munich Oktoberfest, serving three classic beers — marzen, wiesn and hefeweizen. Breckenridge Brewery returns with Breck IPA, Agave Wheat and Avalanche Ale.”
For food, festival goers will find everything from classic cheese spaetzle at Andy’s Kitchen to lobster rolls from Giampeitro’s.
True to the festival’s theme of modern-meets-traditional is the music at Breckenridge Oktoberfest. The Polkanauts, a Denver-based alternative polka band, will be a highlight on Friday and Saturday on the second stage — located at Jefferson Avenue and Main Street, then the Pine Beatles will take over on Sunday.
“Of course, we’ll still have the classic dancers and Those Austrian Guys performing all weekend in the Blue River Plaza,” Zerowin said.
Families can head to the kids’ area, which will be located on the Riverwalk Center Lawn. Good news: now adults can have beer here during the event.
PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
Stein pre-sales send at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8. Pre-purchase drink tickets are $5 each — that’s a $1 discount per beer when you buy in advance (so, $6 on-site).
“Whether you’re buying just beer tokens or steins and beer, get them in advance,” Zerowin said. “It’s cheaper and you’re guaranteed to get that stein.”
Note that steins have sold out at the event the last few years. Also note that the Brewmaster’s Dinner is already sold out.
On site, purchase drink tokens with cash or a credit card. One token fills a half-liter stein, or can be used to purchase a wine, gluten-free beer or non-alcoholic beer. It takes two tokens (two beers) to fill a liter stein.
Be sure to plan ahead. At the event, most food vendors accept cash only. The closest ATMs are located at Downstairs at Eric’s (111 S. Main St.) and the Breckenridge Welcome Center (203 S. Main St.). Additional ATMs are available at nearby US Bank, Alpine Bank and Bank of the West.
Once you purchase drink tokens, they are valid any day of the festival. However, there are no refunds on drink tokens, so pay attention to time.
For more information and a full schedule for the weekend, visit BreckenridgeOktoberfest.com orgobreck.com.
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News.
