If you -- like most of us in Arkansas -- couldn't quite make it to Germany for Oktoberfest this year, you may find that perfect mix of European tradition, seasonal alcohols and fall celebration in Northwest Arkansas this weekend. The fourth OktoBeerFest in Rogers, the inaugural Choctoberfest in Fayetteville and the 53rd Wiederkehr Village Weinfest in Alma will all take place on Saturday. Each event offers a different piece of the seasonal best of Northwest Arkansas -- for families or adults -- mixed with a touch of Germany.
"A lot of Oktoberfests feel like kids are not welcome, so parents might feel like they can't [participate]," says Jessica Rush, director of Mainstreet Rogers. "So it's a fun day for families to enjoy together [here]. We are very mindful of what our community wants [and this year] they're able to do these activities for free and together."
FAQ
OktoBeerFest
WHAT — Bavarian-style food, traditional polka music and children’s games
WHEN — 2-8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE — Downtown Rogers Farmers Market
COST — Free; beer and food available for purchase
INFO — mainstreetrogers.com
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Choctoberfest
WHAT — Funds benefit the Jackson L. Graves Foundation and the healing garden project at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital
WHEN — 3-8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE — Hello Cocoa chocolate factory in Fayetteville
COST — $35; $45 at the door
INFO — hellococoachocolate…
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Wiederkehr Village Weinfest
WHAT — Arts and crafts, entertainment, games and contests
WHEN — 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday
WHERE — Wiederkehr Village near Alma
COST — Free; food and drink available for purchase
INFO — wiederkehrwines.com
Rush is referring to the restructuring of the Downtown Rogers Oktoberfest, which previously took the sampling approach to its craft beer experience. This year, of-age visitors can buy individual cans or draft pours of the seasonal brews they are interested in while kids can play traditional German games.
"I think [the new festival] gives the ability for people to come out and enjoy the festival if they have two hours or six hours, and the choice of spending money is up to them," Rush adds.
Family-friendly autumn festivities continue down near Alma, too, at the Wiederkehr Weinfest. Wiederkehr is the oldest and largest winery in mid-America and was producing Arkansas wine in the Swiss tradition for 83 years before hosting its first wine festival in 1963. Held at a time when alcoholic beverages could not be advertised in dry counties, the winery owners use Swiss-German spellings on their billboards for the first festival and continue that tradition today. Winery tours, tastings, polka music, traditional games, favorite European dishes and the Arkansas Championship Grapestomp -- which qualifies the winner to attend the World Championship Grape Stomp in Sonoma County, Calif. -- return to Alma for one of the oldest festivals in western Arkansas.
And just north in Fayetteville, one of the newest festivals in Arkansas makes its debut on Saturday at craft-chocolate company, Hello Cocoa. Choctoberfest brings together curated local brews paired with Hello Cocoa's locally made chocolate. Food and samples from local companies Great Ferments, JJ's Barbecue Sauce, Ozark Natural Foods and more will be available along with some special chocolately brews from your favorite Arkansas breweries.
NAN What's Up on 10/21/2016