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Virginians will soon have the opportunity to sport their favorite lederhosen while raising a stein because Oktoberfest season has arrived in the commonwealth. From bustling beer gardens to family-friendly cultural celebrations, the commonwealth isn\u2019t short of ways to enjoy German food, beer, and music this fall.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re looking to sample some brews or show off your strength in a stein hoisting competition, these 16 Oktoberfest events offer something for everyone.<\/p>\n
Location:<\/strong>\u00a09925 Discovery Blvd., Manassas, VA 20109<\/p>\n Dates:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 19-21<\/p>\n Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0represents 2 Silos Brewing Co.\u2019s biggest party of the year. Spanning three days, the festivities will include authentic German fare, beer, music, and family-friendly activities, including bounce houses and face painting. Be sure to sample the sausage plates and pretzels before washing them down with one of the craft beers. Those who want to test their strength should enter the stein-holding contest.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a0300 N. Sheppard St., Richmond, VA 23221<\/p>\n Dates:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 19-21<\/p>\n St. Benedict Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0in the heart of Richmond\u2019s Museum District is celebrating its 20th\u00a0anniversary this year. The anniversary event will feature authentic German food, including platters, pretzels, and desserts, over 50 beers, music, dancing, and shopping.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a09101 Prince William St., Manassas, VA 20110<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 20<\/p>\n The\u00a0Old Town Manassas Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0offers the community the chance to come together and say \u201cprost.\u201d The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., takes over the historic downtown area. The festivities will include music, food, performances, competitions, and arts and crafts vendors. Admission is free.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a016000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047<\/p>\n Dates:<\/strong>\u00a0Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 20-Nov. 2<\/p>\n Oktoberfest at Kings Dominion<\/a>\u00a0runs every Saturday and Sunday from late September through early November, offering those interested plenty of opportunities to attend the fall festival where there\u2019s an unending supply of beer, authentic German food, live shows, and family-friendly activities.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a07581 Colshire Dr., Tysons, VA 22102<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 20<\/p>\n Shipgarten invites the community to kick off the season right by attending the\u00a0Oktoberfest German Kickoff<\/a>\u00a0event from 1 to 6 p.m. It will feature over 50 beers from Germany, Belgium, Austria, and the U.S., including several from local breweries. There will also be live music and games, including a pretzel toss contest, stein hoisting competition, and costume contest.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a0South Madison Street to Federal Street, Middleburg, VA 20118<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 20<\/p>\n This year marks the 5th\u00a0year the\u00a0Middleburg Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0has been held. Slated to run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the festivities will include two biergartens, traditional German food, live music, and games. Art enthusiasts should also check out the Artist\u2019s Alley, where local and regional artists will offer their wares for sale.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a01309 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk, VA 23507<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 20<\/p>\n The\u00a0Smartmouth Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0at Smartmouth Brewing Company promises to be a Bavarian-style party with music, games, and brews. Live polka music will be provided by The Dixie 7 and PC Duo. Games will include Hammerschlagen and Masskrugstemmen. Lagers and festbiers will be on tap, which will pair nicely with the authentic German cuisine. The event, which is open to all ages, runs from 5 to 10 p.m.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a02104 Goethals Rd., Fort Belvoir, VA 22060<\/p>\n Dates:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 25-28<\/p>\n Fort Belvoir\u2019s Family and MWR will host the\u00a027th\u00a0Annual Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0at Fremont Field this year. The event will include authentic German cuisine, beer, music, including the Fritz Polka Band, dancing, a carnival, and the Volksmarch 5K\/10K Walk. Some of the beer options include Hofbr\u00e4u M\u00fcnchen Hofbr\u00e4u Oktoberfestbier, Hofbr\u00e4u M\u00fcnchen Hofbr\u00e4u Dunkel, and Tucher Br\u00e4u Tucher Pilsner.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a06 East Pennsylvania Ave., Lovettsville, VA 20180<\/p>\n Dates:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 26-28<\/p>\n Lovettsville Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0prides itself on its unique blend of southern and German traditions, where beer steins clink with sweet tea glasses. Originally a small German harvest celebration, the event now draws in a 13,000-person crowd. In keeping with its German-American fusion roots, its food options run the gamut from bratwursts to barbecue. Entertainment includes polka bands and traditional folk dancers. Consider signing up for one of the contests, including the wiener dog races or the stein hoisting competition.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a0300 John Carlyle St., Alexandria, VA 22314<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 27<\/p>\n Stop by the John Carlyle Square for the\u00a0Alexandria Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0for some German culture and cuisine. The free family-friendly event is a send-up to all things Bavarian. Enjoy some traditional music while savoring a strudel and sampling the beer garden. Come dressed up for a chance at being crowned Mr. or Mrs. Oktoberfest.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a0214 Fifth St., Roanoke, VA 24011<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 27<\/p>\n The\u00a0Golden Cactus Brewing Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0event is a lively celebration of all things German. Running from 6 to 9 p.m., the event will feature German-style beers, food from Food Hut, and a range of competitive activities, including musical kegs, a pretzel cutting contest, and a stein holding competition. There will even be a best-dressed contest, so be sure to dress in festive attire.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a0401 Second St., Williamsburg, VA 23185<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 27<\/p>\n Attend\u00a0Oktoberfest at Virginia Beer Company<\/a>\u00a0to sample four German-style beer recipes: the Oktoberfest Marzen Lager, House Rules German Pilsner, Griffin Gold Kolsch-Style Ale, and Prost! Fallbier. Be sure to get your hands on the limited-edition Prost!-themed barrel glassware. Arrive early, between 12 and 3 p.m., for the stein and coaster decorating with Paint on Pottery Too. The Wandering Sausage will start serving seasonal treats at 12 p.m. Music from 6 to 9 p.m. will be provided by Hailey Reese and The Zack Salsberry Trio. Be sure to bring along your four-legged friend for the Oktoberfest-themed doggie dress-up contest.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a03022 Woodlawn Ave., Falls Church, VA 22042<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sept. 27<\/p>\n Be active this Oktoberfest season by participating in the free\u00a0Oktoberfest Fun Run<\/a>,\u00a0where attendees will participate in a fun 1-mile run or walk around the neighborhood where Holy Trinity Falls Church is located. Following the run, attendees will be treated to donuts, pretzels, and beer.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a0131 Church St. NE, Vienna, VA 22180<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Oct. 4<\/p>\n The free\u00a0Vienna Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0promises a \u201chuge selection of beer\u201d from such breweries as Caboose Brewing Co., Norm\u2019s Beer & Wine, and Settle Down Easy Brewing Co. The event will also have its fair share of entertainment spread across three stages. Children will surely enjoy spending time in the kids zone.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a0438 High St., Portsmouth, VA 23704<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Oct. 4<\/p>\n The Bier Garden\u2019s Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0event encourages attendees to wear their finest lederhosen and bring their favorite steins for a day of German beer, food, and activities, including a strongman competition. Running from 12-9 p.m., the family-friendly event costs $13.50 to attend.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong>\u00a0600 East Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23222<\/p>\n Dates:<\/strong>\u00a0Oct. 17-18<\/p>\n This year marks the 55th year the\u00a0Richmond Oktoberfest<\/a>\u00a0has been held. Located in the Old Dominion Building at the Richmond Raceway Complex, the event is $10 per person for a one-day ticket or $15 for a two-day ticket. Those 15 and under get in for free. Entertainment will include nightly parades, as well as the German band Die Lustigen Almdudler. Be sure to visit the pretzel and potato pancake stands for some authentic cuisine. Draft beer options will include Warsteiner Oktoberfest, Paulaner Oktoberfest Wies\u2019n, and Bitburger Pilsner. Commemorate your experience by purchasing a souvenir mug.<\/p>\n This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<\/i><\/p>\n Related: 20 fall festivals & events in VA to add to your calendar<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\nSt. Benedict Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n
Old Town Manassas Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n
Oktoberfest at Kings Dominion\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Oktoberfest German Kickoff<\/b><\/h2>\n
Middleburg Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n
Smartmouth Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n
27<\/b>th<\/b>\u00a0Annual Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n
Lovettsville Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n
Alexandria Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n
Golden Cactus Brewing Oktoberfest\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Oktoberfest at Virginia Beer Company<\/b><\/h2>\n
Oktoberfest Fun Run<\/b><\/h2>\n
Vienna Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Bier Garden\u2019s Oktoberfest\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Richmond Oktoberfest<\/b><\/h2>\n