The German Household Society Dancers present the viewers a trick throughout their efficiency. Many attendees watched and cheered on the group.
The odor of freshly baked pretzels, bratwursts and contemporary beer crammed the air at Mainstreet Kent’s Oktoberfest Saturday.
Primary Avenue Kent placed on Oktoberfest with seasonal beer, German-themed meals and polka music. The streets crammed with individuals excited to strive the festive flavors of beer supplied by a variety of manufacturers.
This yr featured three beer vans that each one supplied drinks from Platform Beer Co., Goose Island, Saucy Brew Works and others. Some specialty flavors included candy potato ale with cinnamon and nutmeg, candy potato ale with marshmallow, graham cracker and chocolate, and Platform Beer Co. debuted a model new apple cinnamon shandy.
“I’ve by no means had candy potato beer earlier than,” mentioned native John Joyce, “a lot much less with marshmallow!”
In line with Heather Malarcik, the manager director of Primary Avenue Kent, this yr additionally featured interactive dwell polka dancing, one thing that hasn’t been supplied in earlier years. This yr attendees have been invited to bounce with the polka dancers and even gown within the conventional Lederhosen.
Reside music performed for the German Household Society Youth Dancers and attendees. After the dancing, Oktoberfest had native bands, the Memphis Cradle, Metropolis of Invention and That 80’s Band.
Native meals locations even put a spin on conventional German meals, providing pierogies, sauerkraut, pretzels and all the pieces in between. Erie Avenue Kitchen, Ray’s Place and GRAZERS have been simply a number of the locations with featured meals.
For people who weren’t within the themed meals, there was pizza from Dom’s Wooden Fired Pies, and cake pops from Daisy Pops. Oktoberfest additionally featured Budlight’s Black Cherry Seltzer for individuals who didn’t need the specialty beers.
The pageant happened on Franklin Avenue, which was host to a lot of the beer vans and meals tents.
“Being on the brick highway, individuals simply like to be outdoors,” mentioned Malarcik, “it’s such an incredible group.”
The occasion was sponsored by Platform Beer Co., Hometown Financial institution, Ametek, Portage Group Financial institution, Klaben Auto Shops and The Portager.
Sommer Gombar, a sophomore promoting main, got here along with her mother and father, who drove over two hours to see the pageant.
Gombar’s mother and father have been greater than impressed with the meals choice, being German themselves, and gave their stamp of approval for the pageant and Kent itself.
“I’m so blissful to see so many individuals out and about,” mentioned Gombar. “I’m so blissful my mother and father lastly get to see why I like Kent a lot.”
Genevieve Krejci is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected]
