The 12th Annual Village of Lake George Oktoberfest kicks off Friday, Oct. 6 and continues through Sunday, Oct. 8, on Canada Street in front of Shepard Park. The street will be closed to traffic to make room for a beer garden, lawn games, carnival rides and artisan vendors. Admission is free.
Under the beer garden tent, the Adirondack Brewery will be serving steaming platters of Bavarian food including sausage samplers, wiener schnitzel, German potato salad, giant pretzels, craft beers, wine and cider. Bands playing polka and German music will perform throughout the weekend from the bier garden stage, and an oversized chicken will lead the traditional Chicken Dance. Attendees are invited to sign up for stein hoisting and keg tossing competitions.
Village of Lake George Oktoberfest hours:
Friday: 5-10 p.m. Attendees will receive a free Oktoberfest hat.
Saturday: 12-10 p.m. Oktoberfest will host three bands, games and competitions throughout the day.
Sunday: 12-5 p.m. The final day is dubbed “Traditional Sunday” featuring German traditions and culture with traditional bands and the Edelweiss Schuhplattlers dancers. Dance lessons will be available.
This is a kid-friendly, handicap-accessible event. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome. While some vendors take credit cards, cash is required for food and drinks purchased in the beer garden. Oktoberfest takes place rain or shine with plenty of room under the tent to keep festivalgoers dry. (the current long-term forecast is calling for clear skies over Lake George.) Free parking is available in the parking lot at Biscotti Brothers/High Peaks Distilling at 1 Canada Street (1/2 mile from Shepard Park.) Metered parking is available on the street and in public parking lots in the Village.