Kingsport Oktoberfest is back for its third year this weekend in downtown Kingsport. It happens on Saturday, September 28th, and spans over 6 city blocks. Despite its short history, Kingsport Oktoberfest has already been rated a Top 50 Festival by Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine in 2012 and 2013. Over 16,000 attended the event in 2012. General admission to the event this year is FREE! Tickets are required for the Craft Bier Garden, VIP Tent and Premier Club.
Arguably the most exciting part of this year's festival is the new Tennessee Idiotarod Race sponsored by Norfolk Southern. What is an Idiotarod race? The name comes from a dog race in Alaska, but there's no dogs in this event, only shopping carts, costumes, and lots of tomfoolery. The new Gameshow Network program "Cash Cab" and host Ben Bailey are bringing a film crew to film this fun event for an upcoming episode. It kicks off at 1pm. Here's a preview :
No Oktoberfest would be complete without beer, lots of beer. A popular feature of Kingsport Oktoberfest is the Craft Bier Garden sponsored by Smith Brothers Harley Davidson. Premier Club ticket holders will be able to enjoy vertical beer tasting, an opportunity to taste a select beer aged over six years to note the differences in taste over time. The bier garden opens for all bier garden ticket holders at 2:30 pm and they'll also receive entry to the Beer University. Over 20 local and regional breweries will participate in this year's festival, including the guest brewer, Hi-Wire Brewery out of Asheville, N.C.
The 3rd Annual Kingsport Oktoberfest will feature live entertainment on two stages throughout the day and evening. The music lineup includes local acts Hundred Acres, Beth Snapp, Ryan Ward, Travis O'Quinn and Demon Waffle, along with the Mountain Top Polka Band.
There's also the Craft Artisan Market, the Wiener Dog 'Brat Trot' Race, the Football Bier Hall, Barrel Racing, Leading Lizard's Das KidZone (free kids activities including blow up houses, mini golf, juggling, craft tables and more) and cornhole. Title sponsors this year include Yuengling and Smith Brothers Harley Davidson. Get all the details on this year's festival at www.kingsportoktoberfest.com.
