Oktoberfest is coming to Kenmore September 19th through the 22nd and will host a variety of activities, merriment, and fun for the entire community at different locations around Kenmore. This spectacular celebration is brought to life through a dynamic collaboration between the City of Kenmore, local businesses, non-profits, restaurants, and breweries.
The event includes four days of epic Bavarian fun as Kenmore transforms into a German wonderland. The Oktoberfest festivities will kick off with the ceremonial tapping of the firkin and will continue all weekend long with a host of activities designed to delight attendees of all ages and tastes.
Highlights of Kenmore’s Oktoberfest include:
Epic Musical Acts: Enjoy live performances from local and regional bands that will keep you dancing all weekend long.
PNW’s Best Beer and Food: Savor some of the finest brews and delicious food offerings from the Pacific Northwest.
Family-Friendly Activities & After-Hours Fun: Participate in the 5k Fun Run, weekend-long games for the family, Stein-and-Stay packages at The Lodge at St. Edward Park, and the always popular wiener dog races. When the sun sets experience the nightlife of Oktoberfest with special after-hours events.
Fall Seasonal Market: Conclude the weekend with a charming market featuring fall-themed product and local vendors, a root beer garden, and kids activities. From downtown Kenmore to Brew Row and up to Saint Edward State Park, this celebration spans the city, offering something for everyone. All the event details can be found at findkenmore.org/Oktoberfest.
Origins of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest’s origins date back to October 12, 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Louis I of Bavaria) married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to join the festivities, which included a thrilling horse race held in an open area that later became known as Theresienwiese (“Therese’s green”). This event was such a hit that it became an annual tradition, eventually evolving into the Oktoberfest we know today, complete with lively beer tents, vibrant parades, toe-tapping music, and a variety of entertainment.
In the United States, Oktoberfest celebrations began as a way for German immigrants to preserve their rich cultural heritage and traditions. The first Oktoberfest in the U.S. is believed to have taken place in the mid-19th century, with cities like Cincinnati, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, becoming early hubs for these festivities due to their large German-American populations. These American Oktoberfests feature traditional German music, mouth-watering food, and, of course, plenty of beer, all aiming to recreate the Bavarian sense of gemütlichkeit (cordiality and good cheer).
Over time, many cities across the country have adopted their own versions of Oktoberfest, making it a beloved annual event nationwide.
Washington State’s first Oktoberfest is believed to have taken place in the mid-20th century, with the charming Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth playing a significant role in popularizing the festival. Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest, which started in 1998, has grown to become one of the most well-known and attended Oktoberfest celebrations in the state. This event attracts thousands of visitors each year and features traditional German music, delectable food, refreshing beer, and various entertainment options.
Bringing Oktoberfest Home to Kenmore
Here’s where it gets even more exciting: This year, Oktoberfest comes to Kenmore in the form of a Love Note to the Kenmore Community from Kenmore Businesses! In Kenmore, a Love Note is more than just a letter on paper. It’s a simple act or gesture by an individual or group that engages everyone - young and old - creating fun, beauty, or a collective sense of community and place.
Back in January, Suzanne Greathouse, Derek Wyckoff and Jason Parker, members of the Kenmore Business Alliance, started talking about a Kenmore Oktoberfest focused on Brew Row. When they discovered that the City of Kirkland had canceled their annual Oktoberfest, the team reached out to the Bavarian Beer Garden Band, the headliner at the Kirkland festival, to see if they were available. The Band said “Yes,” and recommended the team reach out to the Kirkland Oktoberfest Masters of Ceremony (MCs), who, as it turned out, were also available. The MCs brought a wealth of experience, ideas, and enthusiasm that energized the planning team.
As word spread, more businesses such as the Lodge at St. Edward Park, Snapdoodle Toys, Stoup Brewing, PostDoc Brewing, and more joined the core team of Copperworks Distilling, 192 Brewing, Kenmore Heritage Society, WhatsSup Stand Up Paddle Board and Kayak, the City of Kenmore, and Katie Miller Marketing.
The goals of the event organizers are to support local businesses, celebrate Kenmore, provide a fun event for community members of all ages, and attract visitors to Kenmore’s amazing community. The group hopes to grow the event each year, expanding activities and involving more community businesses and organizations.
“The beauty of cooperation lies in its ability to bring people together, combining unique strengths, ideas, and passions to achieve something truly remarkable. The Kenmore Oktoberfest is a perfect example,” said Suzanne Greathouse of the Kenmore Heritage Society. “What started as a simple idea among a few members of the Kenmore Business Alliance quickly blossomed into a vision for a vibrant community event. This kind of cooperation not only builds stronger communities, but also creates lasting bonds and memories. It shows us that when we come together with shared goals and a willingness to support one another, we can turn even the simplest ideas into extraordinary experiences.”
The City is excited to see this local collaboration to organize an Oktoberfest celebration and start a new tradition in our Kenmore community. The City secured Port of Seattle grant funds to support and promote this event, which is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Kenmore’s local businesses and create lasting memories for residents and visitors alike.
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable weekend! Join along as Kenmore raises a stein and says “Prost!” to ringing in the fall and celebrating all things Oktoberfest. For more information, visit findkenmore.org/oktoberfest.
