Mt. Angel’s annual Oktoberfest celebration is almost here! Happening September 12^th-15^th, it’s the perfect time to gather your family and friends and indulge in everything Bavarian.

The unique festival gets better and bigger each year, welcoming more than 400,000 people to the heart of the Willamette Valley in the small village of Mt. Angel, Oregon. The community has deeply German and Swiss roots and their Oktoberfest began as a cultural celebration nearly 60 years ago.  Celebrate the end of the harvest season in classic Bavarian style with plenty of sausage, beer, and fun to take part in.

Here are some of the great things you can look forward to at this year’s Oktoberfest.

Indulge in Food:
Come hungry, because with more than 40 nonprofit food booths, you’ll have more options than you have room for! Decked out as alpine chalets, the array of fabulous food is served by each group to support their good works. Indulge in classic Oktoberfest choices including sausage and kraut, pretzels, and more! You’ll also find Russian descendants serving up perogies and pelmeni, Mexican foods like fish tacos, and the classic American hamburger. 

Imbibe:
A beer enthusiast's paradise, this year’s Oktoberfest features five biergartens with 35 different beer selections, showcasing an assortment of German imports, as well as amazing beers crafted by local brewers. Award-winning Pilsners, American light lager, and hopped-up IPAs are served in venues that have beers made from centuries-old German recipes. Not a beer lover? Don’t worry – the offerings go well beyond ales and include an assortment of wines, ciders, and seltzers, and Pepsi products.

Get Ready to Polka:
There are five stages where entertainers perform upbeat traditional (and not-so-traditional) music and dance. Polkas fill the air during the afternoon and alpine rock takes the stage in the premium venues at night. Prefer to participate? Get your dancing shoes on and polka or chicken dance anytime. Or learn to waltz during the Street Dances on Friday and Saturday night.

Shop Til You Drop:
With more than 120 artisans displaying their arts and crafts for sale, you are sure to find a treasure to take home. Booths are sprawled through the downtown area and are open 10am to 10pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday.

Entertainment and Activities Galore:
The Wiener Dog Races are a highlight on Sunday of the Oktoberfest, happening from 12 to 5pm. Or take part in the annual golf tournament at Evergreen Golf Course on Saturday, where money is raised for local junior golf equipment. For classic car lovers, enjoy the Oktoberfest Cruz ‘n Car Show where you can see approximately 100 cars, ranging from military vehicles, oldies, and muscle cars.

So, mark your calendars and plan to join in on the joyful celebration filled with food, drinks, and dancing! Not sure you want to drive? There are a variety of shuttle options from the Portland and Salem areas operating Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Silverton and Woodburn shuttles operate every day of Oktoberfest.

Plan your visit at Oktoberfest.org.