The Munich Oktoberfest ― the grandest such celebration in the world ― is just around the corner.
But most likely, you're not headed to Germany to take part in what's billed as "the largest folk festival in the world" ― where a 1-liter beer will run you anywhere from$15.18 to $17.08.The 189th Oktoberfest runs Sept. 21 to Oct. 6.
Well, if you are itching to take part in an Oktoberfest, but not so excited about a long airplane ride or an even longer boat ride, there are plenty of celebrations taking place in Northeast Ohio this year.
Here's a rundown of some where you won't look out of place wearing lederhosen and carrying a stein of beer:
Where are the Oktoberfests in Stark County?
Jackson Township: The Jackson Township Oktoberfest runs from 3 to 9 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Nash Family Jackson Amphitheater, 7454 Community Parkway NW. The event, sponsored by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, will include food, beer, music featuring Fred Ziwich and the International Sound Machine, games, vendors, family-friendly activities and contests. General admission is $10 presale, $15 day of event. A tasting ticket (21 and older only) is $45 presale, $55 day of event, and includes 10 tasting tickets, commemorative mug and admission to festival. For tickets and more information, visit cantonchamber.org/oktoberfest.
Minerva: Minerva's Oktoberfest runs from noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 14 at Municipal Park, 123 Brock Ave. Sponsored by the Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce, it features live music by Visinata and T Free & the Panic Attacks, food trucks, crafters, a beer garden, craft breweries, Tipsy Farmer Winery, kids' activities, and contests for all ages. Admission to the festival is free. Visit Oktoberfest Minerva on Facebook orminervachamber.orgfor more information.
North Canton: The New Berlin Festival runs from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 28 on Main Street. The festival will include German food, beer, craft vendors, and competitions in sausage tossing, corn hole, Alpenhorn blowing, yodeling and wiener dog races throughout the day. The Chardon Polka Band will perform, and the Hoover Lawn will become a beer garden. For more information, including a schedule of activities, or to sign up for competitions, visit newberlinfest.com.
Perry Township: The Perry Township Oktoberfest Community Parade and Festival runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21. The Rotary Parade starts at 11:30 a.m., lining up at 10:30 a.m. behind Central Stadium on 13th Street SW and ending at the festival site at Hartwick Park, 3737 13th St. SW. The festival features food, vendors, balloon sculptures, an adult beverage garden and free crafts, games and pumpkin decorating. Register to join the parade or to showcase your business, organization, school, booster club, civic group, or church with an event booth at www.perrytwp.com/event/parade-2024.
Where are there Oktoberfests in Northeast Ohio?
Boardman: The Boardman Rotary Oktoberfest runs from 9 to 5 p.m. Sept. 29 at Boardman Township Park, 375 Boardman-Poland Road. Admission is $5; free for children younger than 12. The proceeds benefit the Boardman Rotary. Free parking. For more information, visit https://boardmanrotaryoktoberfest.org.
Cuyahoga Falls: The Cuyahoga Falls Oktoberfest Festival runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 20, noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 21 and noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 in downtown Cuyahoga Falls. Admission, parking and entertainment are free. For more information, including a festival site map and parking information, visit https://oktoberfestcfo.com.
Kent: The Akron German Family Society’s 50th annual Oktoberfest runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 6, 3 to 11 p.m. Sept. 7 and noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the German Family Society, 3871 Ranfield Road, Kent. Admission is $5; free for children younger than 13. Family Day is Sept. 8, with train rides, a bounce house and a balloon artist for children. For more information, including menu prices, an entertainment schedule and map of the grounds, visit https://germanfamilysociety.com/oktoberfest.
Kent: Main Street Kent Oktoberfest runs from noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 21. The festival features seasonal beer, German-inspired food, polka music, German dancers and stein-holding competitions on Franklin Avenue and part of West Main Street, with live entertainment at the Hometown Bank Plaza downtown. For more information, including a schedule, or to enter the stein-holding competitions, visit https://mainstreetkent.org/event/main-street-kent-oktoberfest.
Middleburg Heights: The Cleveland Oktoberfest is Aug. 30-Sept. 2 and Sept. 6-7 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights. The event includes food, beer and five venues of entertainment. For more information, including admission tickets (general one-day admission $18, two-day general admission $30), entertainment schedules and tickets, food menu, attractions, merchandise and a map of the grounds, visit clevelandoktoberfest.com.
Olmsted Falls: The Oktoberfest Fall Festival runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Oct. 19 at Donauschwaben’s German-American Cultural Center, 7370 Columbia Road. The festival features live music, dancing, raffle baskets and a family-friendly atmosphere. Tickets are $10 presale, $12 at the door; children younger than 13 admitted free. For more information, visit donauschwabencleveland.com/calendar or donaucleveland on Facebook, call 440-235-2646 or email donaucleveland@gmail.com.
Parma: The German Central Oktoberfest runs from 5 p.m. to midnight Sept. 6 and 3 p.m. to midnight Sept. 7 at 7863 York Road. Admission is $8. Parking is free. For more information, including a schedule of entertainment and activities, visit https://germancentralfoundation.com/oktoberfest.
Wooster: Woosterfest runs from noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 27 and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 28, downtown Wooster. The traditional Oktoberfest celebration will feature live entertainment, food, music, a talent show, arts and crafts, children’s activities, Biergarten and Winegarten, cruise-in, vendors, a Kinderplatz with children’s activities, beer stein racing and competitions in beer stein holding, sausage tossing, cornhole and wiener dog racing. Admission is free. For more information, including a schedule of entertainment and activities, visit woosterfest.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Here's a list of Oktoberfest celebrations in Canton and Northeast Ohio
