Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is expanding its hours this year, starting at 11 p.m. Friday instead of the usual 5 p.m. But that’s not all that’s new in 2019. See below:
The Food
Thirty-one vendors will be hawking their German-style eats at Oktoberfest. New additions include Frittenbude (French fries served with curry ketchup, curry mustard, mayo, and beer cheese), and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Bundt cakes are European-style, ring-shaped cakes and Nothing Bundt Cakes will be serving them in chocolate chip, red velvet, white chocolate raspberry, lemon and pumpkin flavors.
The usual favorites also will be present, including Servati’s (Bavarian pretzels), McNoll’s Covington Haus (brats, metts, curry wurst, goetta balls), Mecklenburg Gardens (Bavarian meatballs in cream sauce), and Izzy’s (potato pancakes, cabbage soup).
World’s Largest Chicken Dance
Many luminaries have served as grand marshal of the World’s Largest Chicken Dance over the years. They’ve included movie stars (Verne Troyer), TV stars (George Takei), rock stars (Vince Neil), and local pro athletes (Andy Dalton and A.J. Green).
This year, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is doing the chicken dance a little differently. For the first time, it will be expanded to all nine stages, each led by local media celebrities. In other words, in the spirit of our 1994 Guinness world record for the largest chicken dance ever, the grand marshal in 2019 will be you.
Skystar
Skystar, the largest portable Ferris wheel (at 150 feet) in the U.S. installed during Labor Day weekend 2018, will continue to be available for Zinzinnati patrons to enjoy. More important, the Hamilton County commissioners recently approved a permanent Skystar observation wheel space that will be 200 feet tall. The current Skystar, which has 36 enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas and one million colored LED lights, will continue operations until early 2020, when the transition to the larger wheel will begin.
The Running of the Wieners
This popular annual Zinzinnati event has a new time. It will start at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, instead of its usual 11 a.m. time. As always, the race will feature 100 dachshunds, each encased in a high dog bun, racing in heats of 10. The winners of each heat will race each other to determine the final champion. Prizes will follow.
Gemuetlichkeit (goodwill) Games, or G-Games
Teams of TV celebrities will compete in several contests that are kind of like the Olympics with an Oktoberfest twist. The games include a Beer Stein Race and a Beer Barrel Roll. See it on Friday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. at the Sam Adams main stage at 2nd and Elm streets.
Sam Adams Stein Hoisting Competition
The Stein Hoist, where participants hold a one-liter glass beer stein with a straight arm for as long as possible, is being expanded for the first time from one competition to multiple competitions throughout the weekend. Stein hoists will now take place at the Sam Adams Beer Garden Stage on 4 and 6 p.m. Friday, 2, 4, 6, and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday. If you spill or bend your stein arm, or try to take a covert sip to lessen your load, you’re out!
HOW TO GO
What: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
When: Sept. 20-22. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
Where: 2nd and 3rd streets between Elm and Walnuts streets, downtown Cincinnati
Cost: No admission cost
More info:
www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.
About the Author